The Weyburn area has one new COVID case as of June 18, with four active cases for the area now, and 35 active cases for the entire southeast region. There are 98 new cases of COVID-19 to report province-wide, bringing the provincial total to 48,327 cases.
The new cases are located in the following zones: Far North West, 1; Northwest, 9; North Central, 19; Northeast, 2; Saskatoon, 12; Central West, 8; Central East, 8; Regina, 25; South Central, 4; and Southeast, 4. Six cases are pending residence information.
Two cases with pending residence information were assigned to the Far North West, 1; and Far North East, 1; zones. Nine cases tested out-of-province were added to the Far North East, 3; Northwest, 1; Saskatoon, 1; Central East, 1; and Regina, 3.
One new death is being reported today in the 70-79 age group from the Northwest zone.
Recoveries total 47,002, including 95 new recoveries, and 763 cases are considered active.
There are 81 people in hospital, and 71 people are receiving inpatient care: Far North West, 1; North West, 10; North Central, 8; Saskatoon, 26; Central East, 2; Regina, 20; and South Central, 4. Ten people are in intensive care: North Central, 1; Saskatoon, 6; and Regina, 3.
The seven-day average of new COVID-19 case number is 78 (6.4 per 100,000). There were 2,455 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on June 17, including 178 tests in the southeast region.
Roadmap to Reopening Step Two Starts Sunday, June 20
Saskatchewan enters Step Two of re-opening Sunday, June 20, and in-person gathering limits increase across a number of sectors and for private gatherings. Most notably, private indoor gatherings will increase from 10 to 15 people. Note that the provincial masking mandate remains in place under Step Two.
The following have no capacity limits, though physical distancing and masking requirements remain in effect: restaurants and licensed establishments, grocery stores, public and farmers' markets, clothing and retail stores, personal service facilities (salons, etc.), greenhouse and landscaping locations.
The capacity limits increase to 150 from 30 for patrons/spectators in the following sectors though physical distancing and masking requirements remain in effect: 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.
Vaccines Reported
As of end of day Thursday, June 17, there were an additional 24,260 vaccinations administered, including 1,475 doses in the southeast region. This represents two days of vaccine administration (Wednesday June 16 and Thursday June 17).
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 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, June 19, will represent vaccine administration from Friday, June 18. Vaccination numbers on Sunday will provide results from Saturday, June 19.
Seventy-nine per cent of those over the age of 40+ have received their first dose, 74 per cent of those 30+ have received their first dose, 69 per cent of those 18+ have received their first dose, while 68 per cent of those 12+ have also received their first dose.
Second dose vaccination eligibility is now open to residents age 45+ or anyone who received their first dose on or before May 1, and all residents 12+ can receive their first dose.
Individuals diagnosed with or being treated for cancer and those who have received solid organ transplants will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail that will allow them priority access to a second dose.
Residents May Receive AstraZeneca as Second Dose
On June 17, 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. Saskatchewan will continue to allow residents the choice of receiving AstraZeneca as their second dose or an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer).
There are no first dose AstraZeneca clinics planned at this time; all AstraZeneca second dose clinics will be offered through the SHA and residents seeking AstraZeneca as their second dose can book those appointments as clinics are available.
