REGINA -- Saskatchewan reported two COVID-19 related deaths on Wednesday, along with 238 more cases.

One of the latest deaths was a person in their 80s located in the north, and the other was between 60 and 79 in Regina.

There are 3,970 cases active in Saskatchewan. The seven-day average of daily new cases is 274 (22.6 new cases per 100,000 population).

Merriman said although there is no specific timeline from bringing COVID-19 vaccines to Saskatchewan, health officials will be able to give an update on vaccines next week.

Of the new cases, there are:

  • Six in the far northwest.
  • Three in the far north central.
  • 16 in the far northeast.
  • 17 in the northwest.
  • 25 in the north central.
  • Three in the northeast.
  • 109 in the Saskatoon area.
  • One in the central west.
  • Four in the central east.
  • 36 in the Regina area.
  • Eight in the southwest.
  • One in the south central.
  • Three in the southeast.
  • Location details for seven new cases are pending.

There are 132 people in hospital in the province; 106 in inpatient care and 26 in intensive care.

There have been 53 COVID-19 related deaths in Saskatchewan.

The SHA performed 2,473 test on Tuesday.

Drive-thru testing is now available in Prince Albert, at the Cone Shop Car Wash, located at 890 6 Ave. E., from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

SHAHAB DISCOURAGING INTER-PROVINCIAL TRAVEL, GATHERINGS DURING HOLIDAY SEASON

Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer is urging people to be cautious and discouraging inter-provincial travel, as the province heads into the holiday season during a pandemic

“My recommendation at this time is actually that we need to have a very quiet Christmas,” Dr. Saqib Shahab said.

The province’s top doctor is asking families to limit gatherings their immediate household. Inter-provincial travel is also not recommended, unless essential. READ MORE.

SASK. COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLAN TO BE PRESENTED NEXT WEEK

While a finish line for the COVID-19 pandemic is not quite in sight, Saskatchewan’s Health Minister said a potential vaccine provides a clearer picture of how the province will continue to respond to the virus.

“The finish line is when we have delivered a safe, effective vaccine to a significant number of Saskatchewan residents,” Paul Merriman, the province's Health Minister, said. “That’s where life can truly start getting back to normal.”

Merriman said the SHA is expected to present its vaccine delivery plan sometime next week. READ MORE.

MOE HOPEFUL FOR LARGER HOLIDAY GATHERINGS DESPITE RISING CASES

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is holding out hope that the government may be able to ease household gathering limits ahead of the holidays.

Right now, normal holiday gatherings do not seem possible because of the government’s recently imposed five-person household gathering limit.

“Is it my place to provide hope and to provide opportunity and to provide some targets for the people of the province to work towards [between] now and December 25? I think it is,” Moe said.

Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 case rate is the third highest in Canada, behind Manitoba and Alberta.