The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has declared a community transmitted outbreak in Saskatoon.
Dr. Johnmark Opondo, Medical Health Officer, officially declared the outbreak on May 27, 2020.
The outbreak is the result of one confirmed positive case and one presumptive positive case between May 21 and 26. These cases are linked to two large family gatherings in early May that exceeded public health order of ten people. It is being declared an outbreak as it involves multiple different households with transmission linked to a large gathering.
A contact tracing investigation is underway that currently involves 60 plus people, but the situation is contained. All the close contacts are isolating at home and there is no further risk to the public. The outbreak is not linked to transmission at a health care facility and has not resulted in any hospitalizations to date.
For every single positive case of COVID-19, Public Health interviews the case to determine with whom they have had contact during their infectious period.
The SHA is reminding the public that during the COVID-19 outbreak, precautions should be taken to protect yourself, your families and everyone who lives in the community. COVID-19 is present in Saskatchewan and we all have a responsibility to minimize the spread of the disease.
The SHA said it is important for everyone to follow the guidelines for physical distancing, hand washing, and self-isolating to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable populations.