Nineteen new COVID-19 cases reported Friday; six from Brandt workplace in Saskatoon

Article content continued

“We are monitoring the situation closely and following all directions as set out by the Saskatchewan Health Authority,” the company said.

The Saskatoon area now has 61 active cases, the most of any region in the province. As of Thursday, 21 cases there have been connected to a single “super-spreader” event at a private social gathering that exceeded limits under public health orders. The ministry did not report how many of Friday’s cases were connected to that event.

There were four new cases reported in the Regina area on Friday and three in the central west area. Regina now has 10 active cases in total.

On Thursday, the most recent day for which data is available, 1,980 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan.

Meanwhile, Health Canada’s COVID Alert app was up and running in Saskatchewan as of Friday. People who test positive for COVID-19 can now report their diagnosis using a key provided by their health provider.

The app, which is available on Apple’s App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android devices, uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with phones within a certain radius. If you’ve been within six feet of any other device with the application for 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period, and someone reports a positive diagnosis on that device within 14 days, you’ll get an alert.

According to Health Canada, the app will never identify you. The only information shared with the Government of Canada or with other users are random codes generated through the app. No one will know who you are, when you came into contact with them or where you live, according to a privacy page provided on the app.

With Saskatchewan, there are now four provinces where people can use the app to anonymously keep themselves and others safe from COVID-19.

In a tweet encouraging Saskatchewan people to use the app, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it “another tool” they can use to protect themselves, their families and front-line workers.

“Not only does the COVID Alert app keep you safe, but it’ll also slow the spread of the virus and help prevent future waves,” said the tweet.

Premier Scott Moe first announced that Saskatchewan would move forward with the app on Sept. 2.

awhite-crummey@postmedia.com