2 deaths and 48 new COVID-19 cases in Sask.
The Saskatchewan government reported 48 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, along with 79 recoveries and two deaths.
The two people who died were both in the 80-plus age group. One was from the Northwest zone and the other was from the North Central zone.
The new cases are in the Far Northwest (five); Far Northeast (one); Northwest (three); North Central (10); Saskatoon (six); Central West (two); Regina (15); South Central (three); and Southeast (one) zones. Two cases are pending residence location information.
Key indicators continue to drop in Saskatchewan. The seven-day average of new cases is 69 – the lowest it’s been since Oct. 31. There are 711 active cases in the province, another number Saskatchewan hasn’t seen since late October.
Hospitalizations are also steadily trending downwards. There are 76 COVID-19 patients in hospital across the province, which is the lowest since Nov. 18. Eleven of those patients are receiving ICU care in the North Central (two); Saskatoon (four); Central East (one); and Regina (four) zones.
VACCINES
The province added 961 vaccinations to Saturday’s tally on Monday.
In a release, the government said the vaccine numbers appeared lower on Monday because it returned to a 48-hour reporting time frame for vaccinations after shifting to a 24-hour reporting period on Friday, Saturday and Sunday “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.”
According to data from the government, 70 per cent of people was 18 and older have their first dose, along with 69 per cent of people age 12 and older.
VARIANTS OF CONCERN
The province said 16 more COVID-19 cases were identified as variants of concern, bringing the total number of variant cases in the province to 11,971.
Of the 6,814 variant cases with identified lineages, 6,417 are Alpha (B.1.1.7), 282 are Gamma (P.1), 105 are Delta (B.1.617.2) and 10 are Beta (B.1.351).
2ND DOSE ELIGIBILITY
Starting 8 a.m. Monday morning, second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be available for anyone in the province who got their first dose on of before May 15.
Everyone who has a first dose will be eligible to receive a second after 28 days on Thursday.
MASK MANDATE ENDS JULY 11
All public health restrictions – including the mask mandate and gathering limits – will be lifted in Saskatchewan on July 11.
The government made the announcement Sunday as 70 per cent of people age 18 and older and 69 per cent of people 12 and older have their first shot.
The province had said it will lift the mask mandate and restrictions on gathering limits three weeks after 70 per cent of people age 12 and older have received their first dose.
In a video posted on Twitter, Premier Scott Moe said the province will hit the final threshold in the next few days.
STEP 2 UNDERWAY
Saskatchewan began the second phase of its reopening plan Sunday as certain public health measures loosened across the province.
Step 2, which was triggered when 70 per cent of people age 30 and older got their first dose, will see capacity limits in stores lifted and restaurants will no longer have a limit on the number of people allowed to sit together at a table.
Fifteen people will now be allowed at private indoor gatherings. There will be a 150 person limit at public and private outdoor gatherings.
Step 3 of Saskatchewan’s reopening plan will go ahead on July 11 after the province hit its vaccination target Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.