COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations rise in Sask.

Twenty-four new COVID-19 related deaths were reported in Saskatchewan for the week of March 27 to April 2, up four from the previous weekly provincial update.

COVID-19 related hospitalizations rose as well, with 354 total reported as of April 6 including 20 people in ICUs. Among those in hospital, 145 had a COVID-19 related illness, 177 were incidental infections and 32 were under investigation.

Despite the increase in hospitalizations, the Minister of Health said the health care system is not maxed out.

“Our overall hospital capacity is still at about 94 per cent. Our ICU capacity is at about 74 per cent so we still have some capacity in hospitals,” Paul Merriman said. “To quantify that, there are still some challenges in Saskatoon. We are in a surge capacity in Saskatoon.”

Also, 440 new variant lineage results were reported, all of which were Omicron. Of those 440, 21.4 per cent were sublineage BA.2, compared to 15.5 per cent from the last update.

There were 7,689 lab test performed in Saskatchewan, with 1,196 positive results, leading to a test positivity of 13.2 per cent, slightly higher than last week which was 12.3 per cent.

As some COVID-19 numbers trend upward, the province’s chief medical health officer said it’s too early to say if it can be considered at sixth wave.

“For the last two to three weeks, we’ve definitely been in a plateau. We haven’t been coming down,” Dr. Saqib Shahab said, adding although it’s hard to predict modelling, he is hopeful to see numbers drop lower in the summer months if Omicron remains the main variant. He said it is possible that cases creep back up in the fall.

The province said as of April 2, 85.7 per cent of the population five years and older had gotten at least one dose of a two dose vaccine and 80.7 per cent competed two or three.

As well, 51.4 per cent among the population 18 and older had gotten at least one booster shot.

Shahab said vaccinations remain the best defence against the virus.

“When we look at our hospitalizations, the bulk still are unvaccinated,” Dr. Shahab said. “A third of the hospitalizations, roughly, are people who got their second doses in June of last year and never got around to getting the booster.”

Fourth doses are currently available to all long term care residents. Dr. Shahab said more details on fourth dose availability for the general public is expected to be made early next week.

Twenty confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks were reported in long-term care and care home settings, up 10 from last week.

Dr. Shahab said outbreaks in long term care homes are concerning but the ministry of health had to find a balance of COVID-19 protocols and family visitations.

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine will also be available to Saskatchewan residents 18 and older starting Monday.

According to the release, Novavax is a two dose, protein-based vaccine series which must be given at least 21 days between doses. It can be used as a third or fourth dose for people who have already received another type of vaccine if supply is available.

Due to the limited supply of 4,200 doses, Novavax will only be available by appointments booked directly through the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

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