Saskatchewan announces increases in new COVID cases, hospitalizations

Saskatchewan reported increases in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations again in its latest epidemiological report.

According to the weekly report issued Thursday by the Ministry of Health, there were 1,196 new cases detected by testing between March 20 and this past Saturday. That’s a 34 per cent increase from the 895 reported in the previous week.

There were 324 COVID-related hospitalizations in the province from March 23 to Wednesday, an increase from 305 in the previous reporting period. Admissions to intensive care units also rose, from 19 to 21.

There were 20 deaths announced by the ministry, down from 33 the week before.

A look at the numbers

The new cases were reported in the Saskatoon (249), Regina (229), northwest (198), central-east (103), southeast (93), north-central (56), south-central (56), northeast (45), central-west (36), far northwest (34), far northeast (31) and southwest (28) zones. The hometowns of 38 cases weren’t immediately known.

Half of the new cases reported were between the ages of 20 and 49 and more than one-quarter were under 20.

The deaths reported comprised seven in the Saskatoon region, three in the central-east zone, two in each of the northeast and south-central areas, and one in each of the far northwest, northwest, central-west, Regina, southwest and southeast zones.

Sixteen of the deaths occurred within the week; the other four occurred between Feb. 21 and March 19 but were just reported.

Nine of the fatalities were aged 80 and over, seven were in their 70s, three were in their 60s and one was between the ages of 40 and 59.

To date, 1,232 Saskatchewan residents have died due to COVID.

The latest hospitalization total included 120 people with COVID-related illnesses, 184 individuals who had incidental COVID infections and 20 people whose infections were under investigation.

There were 400 new cases of variants of concerns detected, all of which were Omicron. The BA.2 sublineage accounted for 15.5 per cent of the total, down from 25.9 per cent the previous week.

There were five outbreaks reported in long-term care homes and five in personal care homes.

So far, there have been 113 Paxlovid prescriptions provided and 286 monoclonal antibody infusion treatments administered.

Of those aged five and up in Saskatchewan, 85.7 per cent had received at least one dose of a two-dose vaccine and 80.6 per cent had completed a series.

Among those 12 and older, 47.8 per cent had received at least one booster, up just 0.1 per cent from the previous week.

To address flagging vaccination rates, the government has launched a new campaign called “It Matters.”

The four-week campaign will feature ads reminding residents aged 12 and up to get a booster if five months or more has elapsed since their second shot.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has vaccination appointments available, as do pharmacies around the province.