7 new COVID-19 deaths reported in Sask., 472 new cases
Seven more Saskatchewan residents have died after testing positive for COVID-19.
The deaths were located in the Far North East (one), North West (two), North Central (one), Saskatoon (two) and Central West (one) zones. One death was in the 20-39 age group, one was in the 40-59 age group, two were in there 60-79 age group and three were 80 years or older.
Saskatchewan has reported 637 deaths related to COVID-19 to date.
The province also reported 472 new cases on Friday. Of the new cases, 383 are in unvaccinated people, while 25 are partially vaccinated and 64 are fully vaccinated.
Ninety-one new cases are in the 0-11 age group. Children under the age of 12 are not currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Friday, 223 people are in hospital related to COVID-19, including 50 patients in intensive care.
The new cases are located in the Far North West (16), Far North East (26), North West (60), North Central (27), North East (23), Saskatoon (80), Central West (nine), Central East (24), Regina (54), South West (27), South Central (34) and South East (46) zones. An additional 46 new cases have pending residence information.
There are 4,234 cases currently considered active. Saskatoon continues to lead the province with 1,021 active cases. The north zone is also experiencing high active case counts, with 611 in the North West and 585 in the North Central. Regina sits at 291 as of Friday.
The seven day average of daily new COVID-19 cases is 444, or 36.9 per 100,000 population.
Health care workers administered 3,287 more doses of COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday – bringing the province’s total to 1,511,313 doses. There are 714,081 residents fully vaccinated.
SHA SLOWING MEDICAL PROCEDURES
The Saskatchewan Health Authority's (SHA) Emergency Operations Centre directed leaders and care teams to move to a second phase of surge plans that include a temporary slowdown of elective procedures province-wide Friday.
The SHA said the move is the result of "rapidly escalating" COVID-19 pressures on hospitals in Saskatchewan.
The directive asks health care teams to focus on COVID-19 care while continuing to support emergency and cancer procedures and treatments deemed urgent in the next six weeks.
PROVINCE-WIDE MASK MANDATE IN EFFECT
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced an indoor masking mandate will come into effect on Friday followed by a proof-of-vaccination policy.
In a video posted to Facebook Thursday morning, Moe said the fourth wave is "being driven almost entirely" by unvaccinated people.
Moe said a proof-of-vaccination policy will be implemented beginning Oct. 1 with the "interim" indoor masking measure likely lifted later in the month
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.