We are very thankful to have a team of volunteers in the community who have come together to help out during this difficult time. If you are in need of assistance, please call the town office (306) 792-2022 or email: kathy.springside@sasktel.net and we can connect you with a volunteer.  Outside of regular office hours please feel free to reach out directly to the Springside Baptist Church.   The Springside Baptist Church has mobilized volunteers to help out if you are in need of childcare OR grocery pickup please contact the Springside Baptist Church by email: office@springsidebaptist.com or call Pastor Mike: 306-621-9622.  This offer of assistance is open to everyone in our community not only the adherents of the Baptist Church. 

Released on January 21, 2021

There were 2,548 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered yesterday in Saskatchewan - this brings the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 29,781.

Saskatchewan now has one of the highest rates of vaccinations administered in Canada, but the pace of vaccinations will slow in the coming days with the supply of vaccines running short and no new vaccine deliveries from the federal government scheduled next week.   As of January 21, 91 per cent of the doses received have been administered in Saskatchewan.

The doses were administered in the following zones: Regina (800), Saskatoon (400), North Central (185), North West (418), Far North East (30), Far North Central (10), Central East (175) and South East (530).  No data reported January 20, 2021 for the Far North West and North East zones.

Administration of the first dose has been completed for long term care homes in more than 40 communities across the province.  This includes Saskatoon, Prince Albert and a range of communities across rural and northern Saskatchewan, with Regina being completed today.

The province received 2,925 doses of Pfizer vaccine late on Tuesday, which are currently being distributed for administration to priority populations in the Battleford area, Lloydminster, Regina and Fort Qu’Appelle.

The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) now recommends an extended interval between first and second doses up to 42 days where operationally necessary.  This is supported by the World Health Organization and Canada’s Chief Medical Officers of Health. Previously, second doses were to occur between 21 and 28 days, depending on the vaccine brand.  Saskatchewan will be implementing these recommendations of up to 42 days where operationally necessary in order to deliver more first doses to eligible people.

For a listing of first and second doses in Saskatchewan administered by geographic zone, visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine-update.

Daily COVID-19 Statistics

There are 227 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on January 21, 2021, bringing the provincial total to date to 21,338 cases.

Thirteen Saskatchewan residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.  One reported death in the 60-69 age group from Saskatoon; three reported deaths in the 70-79 age group in the Far North Central, North Central, and Saskatoon zones; and nine reported deaths in the 80+ age group in the Far North East (1), North Central (1), South East (1) and Saskatoon (6) zones.

The new cases are located in the Far North West (14), Far North Central (6), Far North East (7), North West (18), North Central (21), North East (11), Saskatoon (62), Central West (4), Central East (12), Regina (50), South West (2), South Central (4) and South East (12) zones and four (4) new cases have pending residence information.

Two cases with pending residence information were assigned to the North West (1) and Regina (1) zones.  Note that one previously reported case was deemed to be invalid and removed from the Central East zone count.

A total of 18,000 individuals have recovered and 3,099 cases are considered active.

One hundred and ninety-seven people are in hospital.  One hundred and sixty-six people are receiving inpatient care: Far North West (6), Far North East (1), North West (13), North Central (18), North East (6), Saskatoon (59), Central West (1), Central East (12), Regina (40), South West (1), South Central (1) and South East (8). Thirty-one people are in intensive care: North West (3), North Central (4), Saskatoon (14), Regina (9) and South Central (1).

There were 2,764 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on January 20, 2021.

To date, 481,856 COVID-19 tests have been processed in Saskatchewan.  As of January 19, 2021 when other provincial and national numbers were available, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 276,440 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 446,372 people tested per million population.

Further statistics on the total number of cases among healthcare workers, breakdowns of total cases by source of infection, age, sex and region, total tests to date and the per capita testing rate can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan website.  Please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/cases-and-risk-of-covid-19-in-saskatchewan.

The seven-day average of daily new cases is 286 (23.6 new cases per 100,000 population) and is now available on the Government of Saskatchewan website. This chart compares today’s average to data collected over the past several months.  Please visit https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness/covid-19/seven-day-average-of-new-covid-cases.

COVID-19 Recoveries to be Updated

The Ministry of Health and Saskatchewan Health Authority continue to ensure that public reporting of COVID-19 cases reflects current, active case counts including those who require hospital care.

Weekly Reporting of Testing Numbers and Cases for Youth

The trends of COVID-19 cases in school-aged children are being monitored.  The weekly report of cases and testing numbers for children aged 0-19, including data by age and positivity rates, has been posted at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-Safe-Schools-Plan.

Public Health Measures

For more information on the current public health measures or to see the Public Health Order, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-measures.

General COVID-19 Information

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

Released on December 9, 2020

Saskatchewan has developed a COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Plan, and will be ready to administer the vaccine when the first shipment is received.  Saskatchewan is working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) which negotiates and procures vaccines directly with manufacturers on behalf of provinces and territories.

The Vaccine Delivery Plan outlines Saskatchewan’s phased approach to delivering the COVID-19 vaccination to residents starting December, 2020, including an initial pilot of the delivery and storage of the Pfizer vaccine, a first phase focused on targeted vaccination of priority populations, and widespread access to the vaccine in the second phase.

“Residents of this province can rest assured that our government will dedicate all the resources needed to provide them with the vaccine,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said.  “We are putting in place the human and financial resources to successfully distribute vaccines and get Saskatchewan residents immunized against COVID-19.”

“Once mass immunization has occurred, we will all be able to get closer to our normal routines,” Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said.  “But in the meantime, everyone must continue following the basic advice – frequent hand-washing, physical distancing, masking and staying home if you have symptoms, and closely following public health orders.”

Vaccines for approximately 1,950 people is expected to arrive by December 15, 2020.  The pilot will see the vaccine administered at Regina General Hospital and delivered to health care workers providing direct care to COVID-19 patients.  The first recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine will be health care workers in ICUs, Emergency Departments and Covid Units at Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals and staff at testing and assessment centres.  Pilot recipients will receive their second dose 21 days following the administration of the first dose (during Phase 1).

The Vaccine Delivery Plan’s first phase focuses on immunizing priority populations who are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus or more at risk of serious illness - health care workers, elderly residents in care homes, seniors over 80 and residents in northern remote communities.  Phase 1 is anticipated to commence in late December, 2020 with 202,052 doses expected within the first quarter of 2021.  This includes expected weekly allocations of 10,725 doses of Pfizer vaccine. Weekly allocations of Moderna are currently being finalized.  Allocations are subject to fluctuate and may affect sequencing plans.  Updates will be provided.

The second phase of the Vaccine Delivery Plan is anticipated to commence in April, 2021 and will continue priority population immunization while providing widespread vaccine access to immunize the general population.  Distribution in Phase 2 will occur throughout the province at public health clinics and other vaccination delivery sites across the province.

Plans are in progress around safe storage of vaccines, sequenced distribution across the province, public communication of vaccine availability, contingency planning and statistical reporting of vaccines administered.

Mandatory Masking Province-wide

While the province continues to recommend wearing masks whenever you are outside the home, wearing a non-medical mask will now be required in all indoor public spaces in Saskatchewan.  Information on masks and their use and what qualifies as an indoor public space is available at http://www.saskatchewan.ca/masks.

• The list of indoor spaces may be amended for clarity; however, if you unsure if a location qualifies as an “indoor public space”, defer to wearing the mask – choose the option that promotes public safety.
• Masking in school settings is described in the back to school plans as set out by the respective school divisions.
• Masking guidance for childcare centres and daycares is described in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
• Mandatory masking posters to assist businesses and organizations to inform their customers are available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-posters.

Work from Home 

COVID-19 transmission continues in workplaces throughout the province.  Break the chain of transmission; it is highly recommended that you work from home as much as possible, if your occupation allows.  If you are already working at home, you should continue to do so. 

Reviewing Hospitality Industry Guidelines

The Ministry of Health will be consulting with the hospitality industry (restaurants, bars, casinos, etc.), on continuing to mitigate the risk of transmission in their sectors.  The ministry will consult with the hospitality industry to determine how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Reviewing Athletic Organization and Recreation Guidelines

The Ministry of Health will be consulting with athletic organizations and gyms on continuing to mitigate the risk of transmission in their sectors.  The ministry will consult with athletic organizations and gyms to determine how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Reviewing Worship Guidelines

The Ministry of Health will be consulting with faith leaders and communities on improving current guidelines for worship services to continue to mitigate the risk of transmission in these settings and how the guidelines, taken seriously by many, can be enhanced to ensure that the necessary measures are being taken to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Update to Re-Open Saskatchewan for Entertainment Transportation

Entertainment transportation (ie. party buses, group limousines and recreational vehicles) are no longer permitted. 

Information on the Re-Open Saskatchewan guidelines is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/re-open-saskatchewan-plan.