Highs and lows of Sask. vaccination uptake detailed in latest modelling
Some of Saskatchewan’s rural communities continue to have lower than anticipated vaccination uptake, according to the latest COVID-19 modelling from the Government of Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer said other rural communities have exceeded vaccination uptake expectations.
In the province’s Far North West, uptake for both first and second doses were less than 50 per cent, but uptake is at 95 per cent in the Melfort area.
Source: Government of Saskatchewan
Vaccination uptake in Prince Albert is more than 80 per cent for both first and second doses. In Regina and Saskatoon, the majority of communities reported a vaccination uptake of more than 80 per cent for both first and second doses, with some urban communities coming in between 70 and 79 per cent update. In Regina’s North Central neighbourhood, vaccination uptake slowed for second doses – where there was 50 to 69 per cent uptake reported.
“Public health medical health officers are working with community leaders to, first of all, celebrate high vaccinate uptake, understand success factors but then also work with communities -- asking these community leaders for influence,” Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer said.
But Dr. Shahab said the modelling for vaccine uptake by geographical region can be skewed due to population density in certain areas.
“Many of these large geographies have a sparse population so visually, you know, the red and the yellow and the orange seems vast, but we know about 50 per cent of the population is in Regina and Saskatoon. So many of these regional urban hubs also have high vaccination uptake,” he said. “It's hard to display these things perfectly.”
Due to access to vaccination clinics and transportation in larger urban centres, Dr. Shahab said Regina and Saskatoon are better equipped to address vaccine hesitancy resulting in higher vaccine uptake. He said it is up to community leaders to encourage vaccination in hopes of avoiding a fifth wave.
Saskatchewan's health minister says vaccine uptake will be the key to avoiding a fifth wave
“I think we’re still in around 2,000 vaccines per day, first and second dose,” Paul Merriman said. “We need to increase that. It’s going to jump up when the Johnson & Johnson, and the children are eligible.”
HOSPITALIZATION TRENDS
Daily hospital admissions are down 29 per cent in the last two weeks and ICU admission are down 41 per cent.
Saskatchewan remains first among Canadian provinces in hospitalizations and ICU admissions per 100,000 people.
Sixty-seven per cent of COVID-19 ICU admissions occurred within 24 hours of arriving at the hospital.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.