There are 243 new cases of COVID-19 and 357 recoveries to report in Saskatchewan on April 19, bringing the provincial total to 38,401 cases. Four cases with pending residence information were assigned to the North West (3) and North Central (1) zones. Three cases found to be out-of-province residents were removed from the Saskatoon (2) and pending residence (1) totals. One (1) case not previously reported was added to the Saskatoon zone.
South East region reported 22 new cases, with 13 in Estevan’s Zone 4 (91 active cases), three in South East Zone 1, two in the South East Zone 2, and four in Weyburn’s Zone 3.
The other new cases are located in the Far North West (4), North West (27), North Central (3), Saskatoon (47), Central West (12), Central East (10), Regina (82), South West (9) and South Central (17) zones. Ten (10) new cases have pending residence information.
There are a total of 35,310 recoveries and 2,626 cases are considered active.
Two hundred (200) people are in hospital. One hundred and fifty-seven (157) people are receiving inpatient care: Far North West (1), Far North East (1), North West (5), North Central (6), North East (1), Saskatoon (47), Central East (7), Regina (74), South West (1), South Central (6) and South East (8). Forty-three (43) people are in intensive care: North Central (1), Saskatoon (9), Central East (1), Regina (31) and South Central (1).
The seven-day average of new COVID-19 case number was 253 (20.6 new cases per 100,000). A chart comparing today's average to data collected over the past several months is available on the Government of Saskatchewan website at https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness/covid-19/seven-day-average-of-new-covid-cases.
There were 3,098 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on April 18.
To date, 731,589 COVID-19 tests have been processed in Saskatchewan. As of April 17, when other provincial and national numbers were available, Saskatchewan's per capita rate was 613,901 tests performed per million population. The national rate was 786,935 tests performed per million population.
As of April 18, 4,833 variants of concern have been identified by screening in Saskatchewan, reported in the Far North West (35), Far North East (2), North West (84), North Central (59), North East (6), Saskatoon (462), Central West (67), Central East (180), Regina (2,919), South West (107), South Central (391) and South East (472) zones. There are 49 cases with residence pending.
There are zero (0) new lineage results reported today. Of the 1,918 VOCs with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in Saskatchewan, 1,909 are B.1.1.1.7 (UK) and nine are B.1.351 (SA). The Regina zone accounts for 1,413 (74 per cent) of the VOC cases with confirmed lineage reported in Saskatchewan.
Please note that these VOCs may have been initially identified via means other than screening (i.e. selection for whole genome sequencing without screening) and that whole genome sequencing results to identify lineage are included in the screening results.
Vaccination update
An additional 7,043 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 352,169.
The 7,043 doses of COVID-19 vaccine reported today were administered to residents living in the following regions: Far North West (15), Far North Central (2), Far North East (4), North West (521), North Central (679), North East (56), Saskatoon (2,670), Central West (486), Central East (858), Regina (701), South West (77), South Central (306) and South East (470). There were 198 doses administered with zone of residence pending.
Fifty per cent of Saskatchewan residents age 40+ have received their first dose.
All vaccine administration details for the province, including first and second doses, can be found on the dashboard at https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness. As the source database for vaccine information, Panorama is subject to continuous data updates which may result in revised counts, day over day.
The Ministry of Health has been informed of a reduction in the April 26 Moderna shipment. Saskatchewan's allocation has been reduced by 47 per cent, from 35,800 doses to 18,800 doses. The ministry is working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Indigenous Services Canada to determine the potential impact this reduction could have on booked appointments and the pharmacy vaccination pilot project and will have an update in the coming days.
Canada has purchased an additional eight million Pfizer doses for delivery between May and July. Allocation to Saskatchewan is to be determined.
Vaccination booking system open to ages 48+
In an effort to continue to protect residents as quickly as possible, the eligible age for booking vaccination appointments online or by telephone has been lowered to 48 years. Appointments can be made online at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19. People who do not have a cell phone or email account or need assistance can book by calling 1-833-SaskVax (1-833-727-5829). Additional information on how to book your appointment is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine-booking.
Almost 256,000 COVID-19 vaccination appointments have been made using the provincial booking system; approximately 62 per cent online and 38 per cent by phone.
Drive-thru vaccination clinics open to 48-54 years
All drive-thru and walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics are available to residents aged 48-54 years. Note that Regina and Saskatoon drive-thru clinics have been temporarily suspended until additional vaccine supply is received. Vaccine supply remains limited and drive-thru/walk-in clinics may close early when all vaccine is administered.
For further information on drive-thru clinics in the province, including hours of operation and wait times, see www.saskhealthauthority.ca/news/service-alerts-emergency-events/Pages/COVID-19-Vaccine-Drive-Thru-Wait-Times.aspx.
