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.

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

New cases in Saskatchewan 

The provincial government announced Monday that Saskatchewan has four new, confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the provincial total to 253 cases. Only 169 of those cases are considered active in the province said.

Fourteen people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 81.

Saskatoon continues to have the highest concentration of the province's confirmed 253 cases, with 127.

Counselling moves online

While Canadians continue to face challenges accessing services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, addictions and counselling treatments moving online has made access to these programs more convenient.

“I’ve actually attended way more meetings than I did in-person meetings,” said a woman CTV has agreed to not name.

Health authority to share COVID-19 'surge' plan

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)  will release its COVID-19 modelling on Wednesday.

Premier Scott Moe said Wednesday’s briefing will show modelling scenarios on the potential impact of COVID-19. The SHA will also share its surge capacity plan.

This will be the first time modelling information of this nature will be shared by the SHA, altgough a worst-case scenario planning document became public in March.

Call for Crown corps to make masks

On Monday the NDP pressed the province to enlist the help os Saskatchewan Crown corporations and businesses to help manufacture non-medical masks.

"The province can play an important role in advancing mass production of made-in-Saskatchewan cloth masks," NDP Leader RyanMeili said in a news release.

Make a list, go alone

Over the weekend the provincial government offered guidance for grocery stores operating during the pandemic. Now the province has some advice for shoppers.

"While many grocery stores and retailers have taken steps to reduce crowding, you also need to do your part," the province said in a news release on Monday.

saskatoon grocery store covid-19

Back to school at home 

Elementary and high school students across Saskatchewan are now turning to online learning as a result of classes being cancelled last month due to COVID-19.

Malvina Rapko, a work-from-home mother in Saskatoon, said her two kids, one in Grade 3 and the other in Grade 4, are continuing to learn from home.

“Before this week, we didn’t have a curriculum to follow or anything like that, so we just got creative with our learning, and we’re pretty happy with the results of that,” she said. 

Rapko said she’s taking it one step at a time, and is trying to give her kids as much of a structured day as possible, including giving them recess.  

Finding a furry friend

While being in isolation for weeks has resulted in a variety of coping strategies for people, it looks like some are adding a pet to their home to help lift spirits.

The Saskatoon SPCA says it has seen a record number of adoptions in the past few weeks.

U.K. PM moved to ICU

In internatonal news, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to the intensive care unit of hospital after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.

Johnson was admitted to St. Thomas' Hospital late Sunday, 10 days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

"Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital," his office said in a statement.

Broncos tribute moves online 

At noon Monday, The City of Humboldt is expected to launch a website to serve as a "virtual tribute" on the second anniversary of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

The city had originally been planning a special exhibit of some of the memorabilia received from around the world in the wake of the tragedy but had to put the plan on hold due to the public health restrictions put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

"In the midst of all the turmoil in the present world we want to make sure the lives lost and those that were changed forever two years ago are not forgotten, Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench said on the city's website.

Paramedics providing masks

Effective immediately, Medavie Health Services West paramedics are asking all patients to wear a surgical mask.

"We continue to monitor best practices and work in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to ensure the safety of our frontline paramedics," Medavie said in a news release. 

In a tweet, Warman Fire Rescue said its first reponders will also be taking the same approach.

Weekend recap

On Sunday, the province announced 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of cases to 249. Four people are in hospital and 12 more people have recovered.

Also on Sunday, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili — who is also a physician — said he thinks people in Saskatchewan should wear non-medical, cloth masks.

Last week the U.S. Centre for Disease Control recommended that all Americans start wearing homemade cloth face masks outside due to COVID-19,

On his YouTube channel, Meili posted a tutorial video that walks viewers through to make their own masks.

ryan meili mask ndp covid-19

Daycare providers in Saskatchewan say they’re facing numerous challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are calling on the provincial government to provide financial assistance.

While just shy of technically being the weekend, on Friday night Saskatoon’s first responders  came together  to show support and appreciation for frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Members of the Saskatoon Police Service, RCMP, fire department, University of Saskatchewan, Medavie Health Services, and Astro Towing joined together in a parade, flashing their lights and sounding their sirens while driving by St. Paul’s Hospital, City Hospital and Royal University Hospital around 7:30 p.m. Friday.