Sask. COVID-19 prep: Saskatoon inmates quarantined, JUNO precautions and tips for dealing with sick kids

The Saskatoon Correctional Centre is under an "infection protocol," with more than 150 inmates under quarantine, after one prisoner claimed to have come into contact with someone with COVID-19.  

The inmate in question was among eight prisoners recently transported to the Saskatoon jail, a spokesperson for the Minisry of Justice said.

"Saskatoon Correctional Centre has taken precautionary measures to quarantine six living areas out of 13," the spokesperson said. "This currently impacts 158 offenders. One youth who was being transported with the initial offender who claimed to have come into contact with COVID-19 is being quarantined at Kilburn Hall.

"These offenders are being quarantined inside the correctional facility."

The Saskatoon jail was telling visitors Wednesday they were not able to access parts of the jail due to a lockdown. 

"Until we have completely ruled out any potential contact between this individual and COVID-19, we are undertaking precautionary infection control measures in our provincial correctional facilities as necessary," said a statement from the Ministry of Corrections. 

The inmate said he had been in contact with someone with the coronavirus in Alberta or B.C. 

"Alberta and British Columbia have confirmed that they have not identified the individual identified by the offender as being infected with COVID-19," said the Ministry of Corrections.

The ministry said seven staff from court services and prosecutions have "self-isolated" as a precautionary measure. 

"We understand that some legal aid staff have self-isolated as well," the spokesperson said. 

Chief medical officer takes questions

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, the province's chief medical officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, did not have specifics about the jail quarantining.

But in answer to questions about public events — such as the upcoming 2020 Juno Awards in Saskatoon this Sunday — Shahab had simple advice.

"Don't go to the show if you're sick," he said. "Even if you have a ticket or you're a celebrity who's come, if you land in Saskatoon and you've got a fever and cough, stay in your hotel."

Shahab said mass events are only being cancelled in areas of countries where there are several cases where the virus has spread to people with no history of recent travel to COVID-19 hot zones. 

Shahab added that the province is keeping tabs on various upcoming events and that each will be subject to a risk assessment in light of the pandemic. 

"We know this is not going to go away for a month," he said of the global spread of the virus. 

What to do if your kid is sick at school 

Shahab was asked about what would lead schools to close their doors.

He answered by providing a step-by-step practical guide for parents dealing with a sick pupil in the age of COVID-19. 

"Currently the guidelines are that, if a child is sick — even if they haven't travelled — don't go to school until you're better," Shahab said. 

"If a child has travelled somewhere, anywhere in the world, and gets a fever, cough, stay at home, even if the child is in school and suddenly becomes sick.

"If someone's child has travelled, come back from Europe, develops a fever or cough in school, there's no need to panic. The child can sit in the room, with the door closed. Parents can be called. They can get the child to come home.

"If the child has to take a bus, keep a row empty front and behind. The child goes home, testing is done.

"These simple steps will minimize contacts." 

No confirmed cases in Sask. 

There are still no presumptive positive or confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Saskatchewan, the province's health ministry confirmed Wednesday morning.

But in a separate update Wednesday, the province reported a large spike in the number of Saskatchewan residents who have been tested for the virus.

Between March 2 and March 10, 152 people were tested for the virus, according to the health ministry. Results from two of those tests are pending. 

For comparison, 25 were tested between Feb. 24 and March 2.

In total, the province has recorded 204 people being tested for the virus. 

The health ministry is updating the statistics every Wednesday, but will communicate right away if the province records its first positive case, the ministry has said.

• Health minister says Sask. has COVID-19 response plan as NDP questions province's readiness

Premier reacts to pandemic designation 

Premier Scott Moe reacted Wednesday to the World Health Organization's declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic.

"We're well prepared in this province from a health perspective and we also feel we're well-prepared in this province from how this pandemic can could impact and is impacting our economy here in Saskatchewan," Moe said.

"We are at a low risk and we're thankful for that."

Cautioning against rumours

On Wednesday, a Saskatoon Reddit thread claimed someone in Saskatoon had been diagnosed with COVID-19.

CBC News flagged the post to the health ministry, which reconfirmed there are no cases of the virus in the province.

"The less rumours that spread, the better," a spokeperson said.