SASKATOON -- Check back throughout the day for the latest on COVID-19 in Saskatoon and area.

If you're concerned you might be infected with COVID-19, the Saskatchewan COVID-19 self assessment tool is a helpful resource.

Here's advice on how to practice physical/social distancing and how to properly self-isolate at home.  

Province confirms COVID-19 death, 11 new cases in north

The province confirmed COVID-19 has claimed a fifth victim in Saskatchewan.

The mayor of La Loche said a community member  had died from the virus Sunday.

However, the man's death had not yet been included in the province's publically released statistics.

As of Monday, there were 12 new known cases of COVID-19. Eleven of the new cases are in Saskatchewan's "far north" where 42 active cases now are concentrated.

U of S based lab's COVID-19 vaccine moves to animal trials

It’s been a couple months since researchers a Saskatoon-based lab started working on a COVID-19 vaccine, now they’re moving on to the next phase: animal trials. 

"We have a group of animals that’s been vaccinated and have recently been challenged (infected). So we can compare that group, the vaccinated group, to the non-vaccinated group to see how effective our vaccine is,” said Scott Napper, acting associate director of research at VIDO-InterVac. 

 

The lab received  $23 million from the Canadian government  in March to fund its vaccine research.

City council wrestles with COVID-19 deficit

Saskatoon city council has taken steps to reduce a projected deficit by $9.5 million in 2020, and the city says it doesn’t expect to pass the deficit onto taxpayers.

Depending on when the provincial government lifts public health restrictions and city operations return to normal, the city of Saskatoon is projecting a deficit between $10.1 million if public restriction are lifted by June 30, and $32.9 million if restrictions are lifted by Dec. 31.

NDP calls for pay top-up for frontine workers

NDP Leader Ryan Meili is calling on the province to provide a pandemic pay top-up to low-income essential workers during COVID-19. 

 

"Long-term care aides, hospital cleaning staff, delivery drivers – they’re all putting in long hours in stressful circumstances, and they all deserve fair compensation for the extra work and risk they’re taking on," Meili said.

Ontario is providing a  $4 per hour salary increase  for frontline workers as part of a temporary pandemic payment and Alberta is providing an additional $2 an hour for long-term care workers.

83-year-old from La Loche dies

La Loche mayor Robert St. Pierre has confirmed 83-year-old Joseph Pierre Sylvestre died from COVID-19-related complications in hospital in North Battleford on Sunday. Sylvestre was a resident of a long-term care home in La Loche.

It marks Saskatchewan's first death involving a resident of a long-term care facility.

 On Sunday afternoon the province said the COVID-19 death toll remained at four. Sylvester's death has not yet been included in the total.

 

 

Dentists will have 'a little more gear on' next month

Dentists in the province are getting ready to see non-emergency patients next month when the province is expected to begin relaxing some COVID-19-related restrictions.

"We may have some extra masks and may ask you to wash your hands a few times, but it's still the same people you have come to trust and value, and that you feel very comfortable and safe with. Same people, just with a little more gear on right now," Dr. Mitch Taillon said in an interview with CTV News.

Economy could be 'normal' by end of 2020

Saskatchewan’s economy could return to “normal” by the end of 2020, according to the Dean of the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business Keith Willoughby. 

 

As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, Saskatchewan could serve as a 'test case' for rest of country

 

But that, he says, will depend heavily on what unfolds following May 4 and May 19; the start dates for phases one and two of the province’s Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.

 

Some students finding success learning online

 

This is the third week of online teaching for students and teachers across the province and there are successes being seen in places where there was initially uncertainty, like at St. John School.

 

Teaching online is the new normal for Grade 6 teacher Mackenzie Schultz, she's pleasantly surprised by the 80 per cent participation rate she's seeing.

 

hey are enjoying it and they miss coming to school and they miss being at school, but they are engaged online," Schultz said.

Weekend recap

 

The province reported  four new cases  of COVID-19 on Sunday, and no new recoveries.

 

Saskatchewan has reported 353 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 61 of those cases are considered currently active.

 

More than half of the province’s active cases are located in the far north, with 32

 

On Friday,  a Public Health Order was issued,  barring non-critical travel to Saskatchewan's north.

 

Also over the weekend, a  Saskatoon hotel owner said COVID-19 outbreak among his guests forced him to  temporarily shut the doors.

 

“We found out after he had been here for a few days that he got sick while he was here,” Confederation Inn owner Brian Sawatzky said.

 

Sawatzky added that two friends of the man also tested positive, and an additional two were tested but he hasn’t heard back about the results.