Increased COVID-19 exposure risk in Saskatoon

*Update - January 11: Please note that the outbreak declared for this location was January 9, instead of January 8 as was previously reported in this announcement​. We apologize for  any confusion this may have caused. 

​The Saskatchewan Health Authority is issuing this alert due to a significant risk of increased exposure at the following location where persons attended while infectious:

• December 23 -  January 4:  Crackers Restaurant/Bar - 1-227 Pinehouse Drive, Saskatoon

An outbreak has been declared at this location as of January 9, and is being described as a potential super-spreader event. The contact tracing investigation has identified 16 positive cases to date, and there is significant risk for potential second generation spread.

Individuals who were at this location must immediately self-isolate for 14 days following the date of exposure. Call HealthLine 811, your physician or nurse practitioner if you develop symptoms; you may develop symptoms from two to 14 days following exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

If you attended the location during this timeframe, but have already been in contact with Public Health as part of this investigation, please continue to follow the directions you have been provided.

For those who attended this location during the above timeframe, have not spoken to Public Health and are now past the 14 day infectious period, you are being asked to do the following:

• Call HealthLine 811 to arrange for testing.
  • While you are no longer infectious, if you were COVID positive, this will appear on a test result and assist Public Health in determining if further contact tracing is required.
  • You are not required to self-isolate as you are past the infectious period.
• Notify those who you were in close contact with during the 14 day period following your exposure at this location (i.e. if you attended on December 23, your close contacts are between December 23 and January 6.) and ask them to contact Healthline 811 for further direction.
  • A close contact can include someone who you live with or had close, prolonged contact with (within two metres); had direct contact with the body fluids (for example, coughed or sneezed on); or shared personal items with such as drinking cups or utensils.

COVID-19 is everywhere in Saskatchewan. It is the responsibility of every person to strictly adhere to all public health orders and measures, including:

• Keep 2 metres away from others when in public and wear a mask.
• Limit gatherings and ensure gathering sizes do not exceed public health orders.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth or mask with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are unwell; seek health care services when you need ​help.
• Regularly monitor your health for any COVID-19 symptoms.

It is important to note the following:

• COVID-19 is transmitted through coughing and sneezing (droplet transmission), and by touching surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
• Memorize and recognize the symptoms:  fever, cough, headache, muscle and/or joint aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children), loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Stay home if you have symptoms and monitor yourself.
• Get tested: Learn more about testing and regularly take the online self-assessment at Saskatchewan.ca/COVID19. Testing for symptomatic people may be scheduled for when their symptoms have been present for 48 hours to minimize the number of false negative tests. Call HealthLine 811 or your physician for a referral for an appointment or visit a drive through location.
• Care for yourself and others: Anyone at any age can contract COVID-19. Be kind to each other and to health-care workers.
• Download the COVID-19 Alert APP: The Health Canada COVID Alert app is available to all Saskatchewan residents at no cost in the Apple and Google Play app store. The app is another tool available to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by letting people know of possible exposures without sharing any personal information. For more information, visit the COVID-19 Apps webpage.