Latest COVID update Nov. 30: 42 new cases, active cases fall to 715

Two children under the age of five were among the 42 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Saskatchewan on Tuesday.

The total comprised 25 people who weren’t vaccinated, 15 individuals who were considered fully vaccinated and two people who were partially vaccinated.

The unvaccinated group included two kids aged zero to four and 10 children between the ages of five and 11.

In its daily update, the Ministry of Health said there also were 185 recoveries, with no new deaths. That dropped the active case count in the province to 715, the lowest it has been since it was 682 on Aug. 11.

There were 133 COVID patients in Saskatchewan health-care facilities, up by three from Monday’s update. There were 37 people in intensive care units, down two from the previous day.

Four Saskatchewan residents were being treated in Ontario ICUs. One individual was returned to Saskatchewan on Monday.

A look at the numbers

The new cases were reported in the Saskatoon (nine), central-east (nine), Regina (seven), south-central (three), southeast (three), northwest (two), southwest (two), far northwest (one) and north-central (one) zones. The hometowns of five cases were pending.

The new cases were detected in 1,322 tests.

The seven-day average of new COVID cases was 73, or 6.1 per 100,000 people.

To date, there have been 80,992 cases reported in the province and 79,351 recoveries.

There were 75 COVID-related deaths reported in Saskatchewan in November, increasing the province’s total so far to 926.

Saskatchewan reported 2,620 new vaccinations on Tuesday, with 2,434 first doses and 186 second doses. The totals so far are nearly 1.74 million vaccinations, including 835,367 second shots.

As of Tuesday, 87 per cent of Saskatchewan residents aged 12 and older and 80 per cent of residents five years and up have received their first dose. Eighty-two per cent of residents 12 and older and 74 per cent of residents five and up are fully vaccinated.

Public health orders

One company and two individuals were fined for violating public health orders during the week of Nov. 22.

Iron Bar Fitness in Weyburn was fined $14,000 for failing to screen for proof of vaccination or a negative test. Tickets for $2,800 for failing to wear masks were issued to a person at Your Dollar Store and More in Esterhazy and to an individual at FT Second Hand Store in North Battleford.

Testing options

As of Tuesday, Saskatchewan residents can book COVID tests online through the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s appointment booking system.

“Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID or who has been informed that they may have been exposed to COVID should be tested as soon as possible,” the SHA said in a release. “Booking online makes it possible to see all the dates and times that may work if drive-thru or walk-in testing is not an option.”

People can book a test for themselves or for several people at once. All that’s required is a health card number and a valid email address or cellphone number.

Individuals who don’t have a health card or who need help booking a test can call HealthLine 811 for assistance.