COVID cases, deaths, hospitalizations continue to drop in Sask.

Several key COVID-19 metrics continue to decline in Saskatchewan, according to the weekly report from the Ministry of Health.

This will be the last weekly update, as the Province moves to monthly reporting. A three-week report will be released July 21, followed by the first monthly report on Aug. 18.

According to the latest report, which covered the period from June 19-25, lab-confirmed cases, deaths and hospitalizations are all dropping.

A total of 5,372 lab tests confirmed 208 new cases of COVID-19, down from 231 reported last week. That figure does not include cases detected by rapid tests.

Three more COVID-19 deaths were reported between June 19 and Saturday, a drop from the 12 deaths reported last week.

The deaths occurred in the north-central, southwest and Saskatoon zones.

Hospitalizations also dropped in the latest report. According to the Ministry of Health, there were a total of 119 patients with COVID in hospital as of June 29, down from 157 on June 22.

The number of patients hospitalized due to a COVID-related illness sat at 30 in the latest report, compared to 46 a week before. Four adults were in ICU, down from five in the previous report.

A look at the numbers

The 208 new lab-confirmed cases were located in the Saskatoon (70), Regina (40), southeast (20), northwest (19), central-east (14), south-central (14), north-central (nine), northeast (seven), central-west (four), southwest (three), far northwest (two), and far northest (1) zones. The location of five confirmed cases was still pending.

The new cases reflect an average of 17 confirmed cases per 100,000 people in the province.

Three new outbreaks were included in the latest report, all in the Regina area.

Vaccine numbers

Immunization rates haven’t changed much over the past four weeks, according to the latest report.

Of the eligible population aged five and older, 81.2 per cent have completed a series of vaccinations.

Almost half of residents aged 12 and over have received a booster shot (49.4 per cent), and 52.8 per cent of all adults have rolled up their sleeves for a booster.

Province planning fall booster campaign

On Thursday, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended all residents stay up to date on COVID vaccinations, including booster shots and an additional dose for those at elevated risk from the virus.

The Saskatchewan Government is incorporating that advice into its fall booster shot campaign, with details to be released once the campaign is finalized.