REGINA -- Saskatchewan has a seventh case of COVID-19, the province's chief medical health officer announced Monday.

Dr. Saqib Shahab says the newest case is also linked to travel, and the person recently returned from Arizona.

Of the seven COVID-19 cases in the province, two are confirmed and five are presumptive. The most recent person with the novel coronavirus is in a Regina hospital for an unrelated illness, the province said. The other six cases are currently self-isolating at home, along with anyone who has come into close contact with them.

Based on the most recent information provided by the Government of Saskatchewan, there have been 796 total COVID-19 laboratory tests performed. 16 tests are pending results.

"This is a time for us to stay at home unless it's absolutely necessary," Premier Scott Moe said.

School closures

Schools in the province will close indefinitely on March 20.

Between March 16 and 19, classes will "wind down." Any parents who can keep their children at home are encouraged to do so immediately. Absences and grades won't be impacted.

On Sunday, the Shahab said school closures would be based on evidence of sustained transmission of COVID-19, a rapid increase of local cases or non-travel-related transmission. The province says those criteria haven’t been met, but its taking a "preventative approach of proactive school closures."

"We will reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our province," Moe said.

"These are significant steps we're taking ahead of any significant community transmission which has happened now in several Canadian provinces," Shahab said.

Students will receive final grades based on their current grade, the province says. All eligible Grade 12 students will graduate. The Ministry of Education and school divisions are working with post-secondary institutions for next year's entry requirements. Students will also advance to their next grade level when they return to classes in the fall.

Teachers and staff can work from home or in schools during class cancellations. The Ministry of Education will work with school divisions and teachers for distance and alternative learning methods.

Daycares inside schools will be closed, but the closures won't apply to licensed daycares outside of schools. The province says it's looking into further measures for these daycares, which may be implemented at a later date.

Travel restrictions

The province also announced on Monday that anyone travelling outside of the country should return to Canada while commercial options are available. Residents are also encouraged to avoid all non-essential international travel until further notice. Anyone returning home should self-isolate for 14 days.

Shahab said Saskatchewan is several weeks behind other provinces when it comes to COVID-19 cases, but added officials want to try to prevent community transmission.

"There's strong public support for going early with this," Shahab said. "Self-isolation at home for two weeks is essential for trying to keep this outbreak to as low level as possible, as long as possible."

Health officials also say international travel and travel inside of Canada can expose people to the virus.

"Even if you travel to other provinces, you have to be aware of where you're going," Shahab said. "Not just travel itself, it's how we interact with people anywhere in Saskatchewan in other provinces."

Saskatchewan's risk for COVID-19 remains relatively low, the province says.

Avoid hoarding

Moe is cautioning Saskatchewan residents against hoarding groceries and other supplies as more cancellations are announced.

"There is no need for us to hoard," he said. "We don't believe that coronavirus will cause shortages in our grocery stores, but hoarding certainly will. So, don't do it."

Limiting large gatherings, non-essential visitation

The province has instigated visitor restrictions for long-term care homes, hospitals and group homes. Only essential visitors — immediate family members visiting for "compassionate reasons" — will be allowed into those locations.

Shahab also said people in rural areas should pay close attention to their elderly population.

"In small communities, there are a lot of community activities that happen where there are a lot of crowding, and we really need to think about how those happen, should they happen and how we maintain a safe distance," he said.

Self-assessment tools and testing

A new self-assessment tool is now available to help Saskatchewanians determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19.

Shahab reminded people to use testing judiciously to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system. Anyone with questions can visit the province's website. HealthLine 811 should only be used by people experiencing symptoms.

There are testing centres open in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, with appointments by referral only.

Casinos closing

SaskGaming has suspended operations and closed Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw until further notice.

SIGA followed suit on Monday afternoon, saying it would shut down all operations for two weeks as of March 16.