98 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death reported in Sask.
The Government of Saskatchewan reported 98 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, along with one death.
The death was a person in their 70s from the North West zone. Saskatchewan has recorded 562 COVID-19-related deaths.
The province now has 763 active COVID-19 cases, after confirming 95 more recoveries.
A total of 81 patients are in hospital related to COVID-19, including 10 in intensive care.
New cases are located in the Far North West (one), North West (nine), North Central (19), North East (two), Saskatoon (12), Central West (eight), Central East (eight), Regina (25), South Central (four) and South East (four) zones. Six cases are pending residence information.
VACCINES
The province said as of the end of day Thursday, there were an additional 24,260 vaccinations administered. That total includes data from both June 16 and 17.
A total of 961,997 doses have been given in Saskatchewan.
According to the province, 69 per cent of those 18 years and older have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine – one per cent shy of the target for step three of the reopening roadmap.
VARIANTS OF CONCERN
As of Thursday, 11,904 variants of concern have been identified in Saskatchewan – up 57 cases from Wednesday’s data.
Lineage results were determined for four more variants of concern. Of the variants identified by whole genome sequencing in Saskatchewan, 6,136 are Alpha (B.1.1.7), 231 are Gamma (P.1), 70 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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.