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
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.