Latest COVID update June 18: 98 new cases, active cases rise to 763

Saskatchewan’s daily COVID-19 cases rose again Friday, the second consecutive day of increased cases compared to earlier in the week.

The Ministry of Health reported 98 new infections, four more than Thursday’s announcement and twice as many as were announced Tuesday.

One new death, a person in the 70 to 79 age group from the northwest zone, was also announced Friday for a total of 562 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The province also said there were 95 recoveries and 24,260 vaccinations administered over the past two days.

“Vaccine reporting numbers have routinely been reported over a 48-hour period in order to ensure complete vaccine administration data/information and therefore represents vaccinations from two days previous,” the media release said. “The vaccine administration reporting timeline was adjusted to a 24-hour period for a short term in order to provide the most up to date information to support a decision on the ability to move to Step 3 of the Re-Open Roadmap.”

Vaccination numbers on Saturday will reflect the previous day’s total.

Of the 24,260 doses reported Friday, vaccines were given in the far northwest (182), far north-central (three) far northeast (421), northwest (1,821), north-central (1,921), northeast (809), Saskatoon (5,106), central-west (638) central-east (2,123), Regina (7,296) southwest (612), south-central (1,100) and southeast (1,475) zones. An additional 753 doses are without hometown information.

As the province aims to trigger Step 3 of the reopening plan by July 11, 69 per cent of those 18 and over have received their first dose, while 68 per cent of those 12 and over have also received their first dose.

Step 3 will begin three weeks after 70 per cent of people 18 and over have been vaccinated with one dose. The remaining gathering restrictions and mandatory masks will be dropped once those 12 and over have also received a first dose.

Saskatchewan will continue to allow residents the choice of receiving AstraZeneca as their second dose or an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer). On Thursday, the National Advisory Council on Immunization updated their statement on recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccine, including recommendations for those who received AstraZeneca as a first dose.

A look at the numbers

The 98 new cases reported in the province are located in the far northwest (one), northwest (nine), north-central (19), northeast (two), Saskatoon (12), central-west (eight), central-east (eight), Regina (25), south-central (four) and southeast (four) zones.

Six cases are pending residence information.

Two cases without a hometown were assigned to the far northwest (one) and the far northeast (one) zones.

Nine cases tested out-of-province were added to the far northeast (three), northwest (one), Saskatoon (one), central-east (one) and Regina (three).

Of the 48,327 cases in the province, 47,002 cases are considered recovered, 11,904 were identified as variants of concern and 763 cases are considered active.

There are 81 people in hospital. Seventy-one people are receiving inpatient care: far northwest (one), northwest (10), north-central (eight) Saskatoon (26), central-east (two), Regina (20) and south-central (four).

An additional 10 people are in intensive care: six in Saskatoon, three in Regina and one in the north-central region.

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 case number is 78, or 6.4 per 100,000 population.

Reopen roadmap moves to Step 2 Sunday

Saskatchewan enters Step two of re-opening Sunday.

In-person gathering limits increase across a number of sectors and for private gatherings. The provincial masking mandate remains in place under Step Two.

Restaurants and licensed establishments, grocery stores, public and farmers’ markets, clothing and retail stores, personal service facilities (salons, etc.), greenhouse and landscaping locations will no longer be under capacity limits.

The capacity limits increase to 150 from 30 for patrons in: sports and activities, arena facilities, libraries, movie and live theatre venues, performing arts venues, casinos and bingo halls, for temporary food vendors, racing, livestock sales and rodeos, banquets and conference facilities; car and trade shows.

All indoor facilities and activities and outdoor activities where two metres of physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained must continue to abide by physical distancing and masking requirements in Step two.

• Table capacity limits are being removed in all restaurants and licensed establishments. Previously, they were limited to six per table.
• Dining tables will still need to maintain two metres of physical distance or have a barrier placed between them.
• Retailers can welcome more shoppers, as capacity limits will be removed as long as two metres of physical distance can be maintained between customers.
• Indoor sport competitions will be able to resume, as many restrictions are being lifted. Tournaments will be permitted, however, inter-provincial play is not and no more than 150 spectators are permitted in the facility.
• Capacity limits for banquet and conference facilities will increase to 150 people. Attendees may be served food and/or beverage in the facility, but must remain seated except when getting their food/beverage, using washroom facilities or entering/exiting the premises.  Self-serve is not permitted at this time.
• The number of movie goers may increase to 150 from the current limit of 30.
• Dance recitals and competitions will be able to resume for all ages and the maximum capacity limit for spectators of all performing arts facilities will be 150.