Canada

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Cattle in pasture beside XL Foods' Lakeside Packers plant at Brooks, Alberta on Monday, Oct. 1st, 2012, 2012.  THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

Saskatchewan is reporting a spike in E. coli cases but is waiting for lab tests before linking them to the massive beef recall from an Alberta plant.

The Ministry of Health announced Tuesday that there were 13 reported cases of E. coli infection in the province last month. The usual number for September is between zero and four.

"Public health authorities are investigating these cases and conducting tests to determine whether they are linked to the recall," reads a government release. "Laboratory results are expected within the next few days."

The Regina Qu'appelle Health Region confirmed that Flip Eatery and Drink in the city's downtown closed voluntarily Tuesday after five customers were diagnosed with E. coli.

The health region said its investigation has shown some of those customers did not eat beef.

Health officials in Alberta on Tuesday confirmed two new cases of E. coli, bringing the province's total to 10.

Five of the Alberta cases, including one of the new ones, have been linked to steaks that were processed at the XL Foods Inc. plant in southern Alberta and purchased at a Costco store in Edmonton.

Health officials were reminding consumers to cook beef thoroughly and to wash their hands when preparing food.