Sask. confirms 106 COVID-19 cases, 1 death
The Government of Saskatchewan reported 106 new COVID-19 cases, one death and 135 recoveries on Saturday.
The province’s 555th death was a person in the 80-plus age group from the North West zone.
There are 874 cases considered active in Saskatchewan.
A total of 96 people are in hospital related to COVID-19, including 17 people in intensive care.
New cases are located in the Far North West (three), Far North East (one), North West (19), North Central (17), North East (two), Saskatoon (29), Central West (five), Central East (three), Regina (10), South West (three), South Central (eight) and South East (four) zones. Two cases are pending residence information.
Five cases from Saskatchewan residents tested out-of-province were added to the Far North East Zone.
Saskatchewan’s seven-day average for daily new cases is 79, or 6.5 per 100,000 population.
There were 2,159 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on Friday.
VACCINES
Saskatchewan reported an additional 18,014 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered, bringing the provincial total to 878,665.
As of Saturday, 68 per cent of those 18 and older and 66 per cent of those 12 and older have received their first dose.
VARIANTS OF CONCERN
The province has identified 11,664 Variants of Concern (VOC), up 160 from Friday’s total.
No new lineage results were reported Saturday.
To date, labs have confirmed the variant type of 6,199 variant cases through whole genome sequencing. The dominant variant type in Saskatchewan continues to be the Alpha variant – also known as the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the U.K. To date, 5,932 Alpha variant cases have been confirmed across the province.
UPDATE TO SECOND DOSE SCHEDULE
The province announced an accelerated second dose schedule Friday. Everyone age 12 and older will be eligible to get their second dose by the end of June.
The government attributes the accelerated schedule to the increase in expected deliveries of the Moderna vaccine. The schedule may continue to change due to vaccine availability.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.