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. 

Five new cases

On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan government said there were five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province.

All of the new known cases were found in the province's far north, with three in the Beauval area and two in Lo Loche.

As of Tuesday, the province had 573 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 193 of the cases were considered active.

Of the active cases, 151 were concentrated in the far north. 

COVID-19 checkpoints face criticism

Some Indigenous leaders in northern Saskatchewan say that the province's COVID-19 checkpoints in the north “have gone too far," alleging “unfair and disrespectful treatment" from officers.

In a statement released by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) on Tuesday, Canoe Lake Cree First Nation Chief Francis Iron said he was denied access through a checkpoint while travelling for essential reasons.

It disturbs me that the north is being discriminated against and treated unfairly. We were not consulted despite what the provincial health order states,” he said in the release.

Summer sports in question

The future is uncertain for many minor sports leagues that thousands of Saskatoon kids and parents look forward to each summer.

"Once the weather turned nice they are really getting anxious to do stuff, which I'm sure all kids and families are too,” said Jesse Korte, executive director for Baseball Saskatoon.

Korte says the organization is planning for a modified season in July and August. He says they sent out notices asking people if they wanted to cancel registration and seek a refund.

New rules on golf courses

Golf courses, gun ranges and drive-ins will be next to start reopening in Saskatchewan, but they won’t operate the way they used to.

Ron Erikson, general manager of The Willows Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, anticipates a busy opening weekend but expects new measures to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.

“They’ll see things that are happening that were never done before like power cart sanitation or hand cart sanitation,” he said.

Stigma around tests?

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is concerned people with symptoms for COVID-19 aren’t seeking out tests in fear of being stigmatized.

Only 256 tests were conducted in the province on Monday, which is the lowest single day total since Mar. 17.

"Some, especially those who are part of small communities, fear being identified as having symptoms," said SHA Senior Medical Health Officer Dr. Julie Kryzanowski during Tuesday’s media conference.

Mental health support line

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has launched a mental health support line for health-care workers.

It offers brief intervention and a pathway for urgent care as required, according to a Tuesday update from the health authority.

“As part of the SHA COVID-19 response, ensuring that mental health and wellbeing needs of health-care workers and physicians are identified and supported is critical. Caring and having compassion for ourselves and each other by acknowledging and effectively managing stress, both acute and cumulative, is key to building individual and collective resilience over time.”

The health line is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

Managed alcohol program in La Loche

In the wake of the COVID-19-related closure of liquor stores in La Loche, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is launching a managed alcohol program in the community.

A managed alcohol program typically involves providing controlled doses of  alcohol to those who are severely dependant on the substance.

This has left those who are chronically dependant without "ready" access to alcohol, SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon in Regina.

U of S will deliver courses remotely in fall

In another example of how, even as the province tentatively reopens, the effects COVID-19 will linger on long into the foreseeable future, the University of Saskatchewan says it will continue to deliver many of its programs remotely this fall.

“The planned September delivery model will combine primarily remote online learning, with limited classroom, laboratory, clinical, and physical instruction only where warranted and where circumstances permit, in consultation with public health and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer,” the university said in a news release Tuesday.

Delta grounds Saskatoon flights

Delta is suspending service to Saskatoon International Airport beginning May 13.

The move comes in addition to suspending operations at 10 airports, which the airline announced May 8.

“These changes will allow more of our frontline employees to minimize their COVID-19 exposure risk while ensuring convenient access to Delta’s network for those who must travel. Delta will continue providing essential service to impacted communities via neighboring airports,” the company says in a news release.

Seniors' payment announced

Nearly two months into living in some form of isolation, watching retirement savings take a hit, and having to take additional health precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eligible seniors are set to receive a one-time tax-free payment of up to $500.

On Tuesday the federal government unveiled its plans to spend $2.5 billion sending these cheques to millions of seniors.

“There’s no question that COVID-19 has been taking its toll on seniors both emotionally and financially… our government is taking action to alleviate some of the stress they may be feeling,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, adding that there’s still work ahead to find long-term solutions to how Canada’s elderly are cared for.

New schedule for Huskies

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies sports teams will be playing under alternate formats for the 2020-2021 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada West Universities Athletic Association announced the changes Monday, which involved more than a month of work by the board and the Canada West sport committee.

"While there remains uncertainty around when university sport will return, the CW Board of Directors has worked diligently to ensure that when it does the conference and our members are prepared to navigate the difficult financial realities ahead of us," President Clint Hamilton said in a news release.

Summer job hunt challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a difficult environment for those looking for any kind of job, including students who are struggling to find summer jobs or enter the job market for the first time.

“Summer jobs have essentially dried up, there’s just nothing out there,” said Kevin Fiessel, manager of Career Education at the University of Regina. “We still post jobs, we’re still actively recruiting and trying to do our best and get students engaged but it’s been very very very tough. The environment has changed 180 degrees.” 

Monday recap

On Monday the province reported  four new confirmed COVID-19 cases  and 14 recoveries.

All of the new known cases were in the La Loche area.

Of Saskatchewan's 199 active cases, 151 were concentrated in the far north.

As of Monday there have been a total of 568 COVID-19 cases in the province. 

Saskatchewan’s premier says house leaders have begun meeting to discuss the possibility of returning to the legislature.

Premier Scott Moe said Monday that house leaders met last week and will speak again this week.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili sent a letter to Moe on Monday to ask to “reconvene the legislature immediately.”

A local firm specializing in medical cannabis science is lending its expertise to the University of Saskatchewan-based VIDO-InterVac research lab's quest for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Saskatoon-based ZYUS Life Sciences is working with researchers at VIDO-InterVac to help create the  vaccine which could potentially be "plant-based"  according to the company.

Also on Monday, the first time in its 135-year history ⁠— a timespan encompassing both World Wars ⁠— the Saskatoon Exhibition was  cancelled.