55 new COVID-19 cases, 57 recoveries reported in Sask.
There were 55 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Saskatchewan on Saturday, along with 57 recoveries.
In a news release, the province said 760 cases remain active. No deaths were reported Saturday.
The seven day average for daily new COVID-19 cases is 71, or 5.8 per 100,000.
The new cases are located in the Far North West (two), Far North East (two), North West (seven), North Central (one), North East (two), Saskatoon (12), Central West (one), Central East (five), Regina (12), South West (one), South Central (three), and South East (three) zones.
Four cases are pending residence information.
A total of 82 people are in hospital related to COVID-19, including 11 patients in intensive care.
REOPENING STEP 3 BEGINS JULY 11
Saskatchewan will officially start the third and final phase of its reopening plan on July 11.
The province reached its third vaccination target Saturday as 70 per cent of people age 18 and over have now received the first does of their COVID-19 vaccine.
Step Three will see all remaining public health restrictions lifted, except for limits on gathering sizes indoor masking.
VACCINES
As of the end of day Friday, the government said 19,737 additional vaccinations were administered in Saskatchewan, bringing the province’s total to 981,734 doses.
The next target in Saskatchewan’s reopening roadmap is to have 70 per cent of residents over the age of 12 vaccinated with their first dose -- currently at 68 per cent.
The province said 25 per cent of eligible residents are now fully vaccinated.
VARIANTS OF CONCERN
As of Friday, the province has identified 11,930 variants of concern – up 26 from Thursday’s data.
Lineage results were determined for 143 more variant cases through whole genome sequencing. Of the 6,590 variants of concern identified, 6,245 are Alpha (B.1.1.7), 247 are Gamma (P.1), 88 are Delta (B.1.617.2) and 10 are Beta (B.1.351).
STEP 2 OF REOPENING ROADMAP BEGINS SUNDAY
Certain public health measures will be loosened this weekend as Saskatchewan enters Step 2 of its reopening roadmap on Sunday.
Nearly three weeks ago, the province reached its targeted vaccine threshold to enter the next reopening phase – 70 per cent of people age 30 and older received their first dose.
In Step 2, there will be no capacity limits at retail stores and personal care services, but physical distancing must be maintained.
45+ ELIGIBLE FOR 2ND DOSE OF COVID-19 VACCINE
Second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are available in Saskatchewan for residents age 45 and older or anyone who received their first dose on or before May 1, as of 8 a.m. Thursday.
The age eligibility for Northern Saskatchewan Administration District is now 18 years and older for second doses regardless of when they received their first dose.
Other individuals who are eligible for their second doses – including anyone diagnosed with or being treated for cancer, or anyone who has received a solid organ transplant – will receive a letter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Pro-Palestinian protesters at USC comply with school order to leave their encampment
Protesters left a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California early Sunday after they were surrounded by police and told they could face arrest if they didn’t go.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Bombarded with spam texts? Stats show the problem is getting worse in Canada
In particular, messages that involve phishing — an attack where a scammer tries to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or sharing sensitive information — are on the rise.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.