Sask. reports 95 COVID-19 deaths since start of 2023, no influenza deaths
As of March 25, 95 deaths in Saskatchewan have been linked to COVID-19 since the start of the year. No influenza-related deaths were reported over the same period.
The Saskatchewan government released its latest bi-weekly Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program (CRISP) report on Thursday.
According to the report, 18 people died after testing positive for COVID-19 between March 12 and March 25.
Three people who died were between the ages of 20 and 59. Fifteen of those who lost their lives were 60 years of age or older, the report said.
According to the report, just 21 per cent of people in Saskatchewan over the age of 12 have received a bivalent booster dose — a version of the COVID-19 vaccine tailor-made to limit the spread of the dominant Omicron variant responsible for nearly all new infections.
Uptake for booster doses also continues to lag, according to the province.
"With the exception of Regina, all areas of the province have less than 50 per cent of their population up-to-date for COVID-19 vaccines," the report said.
While the city has the highest vaccination rate, only 52 per cent of people in Regina are up-to-date on their vaccines, according to the report.
According to the provincial government, people who are fully up-to-date on their COVID-19 booster doses are four times less likely to die from the illness compared to those who aren't.
A person fully up-to-date on their booster doses is eight times more likely to live when compared to someone who is completely unvaccinated, the report said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | A fight for 'the future of us all,' Trudeau says in speech to Ukraine's parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a speech to Ukraine's parliament, where he called the war-torn country's fight against Russia's invasion a battle 'for the future of us all.' This comes after Trudeau announced Canada will be spending $500 million to help Ukraine's military fight Russia's invasion.

Here's how some of Canada's wildfires compare in size to cities, lakes
Fires across the country are burning millions of hectares of land but what does that really look like? CTVNews.ca compared the blazes to some cities and lakes in the country showing just how big they have gotten.
David Johnston resigns as foreign interference special rapporteur, citing 'highly partisan atmosphere'
Foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston has resigned, CTV News has confirmed. In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Johnston cited the intense politicization of his appointment and work, as the reason for his coming departure.
'See it with my own eyes': Canadian teen in war-torn Ukraine to film documentary
A Ukrainian-Canadian teenager is on an emotional journey to capture the destruction of the Russian invasion, including of his childhood home, on camera.
Donald Trump stored, showed off and refused to return classified documents, indictment says
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to an indictment unsealed Friday that alleges that he described a Pentagon 'plan of attack' and shared a classified map related to a military operation.
Unhealthy habits of university students could lead to future health problems
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventative Medicine Reports by a group of international researchers has found that post-secondary students with unhealthy eating habits can go on to suffer from disease and mental health issues for years to come.
Three people charged in alleged abduction of N.L. teen after Amber Alert issued
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador say three people are facing charges following the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl.
Boris Johnson quits as U.K. lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament
Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson shocked Britain on Friday by quitting as a lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament.
Eyes on the weather as residents pack and flee from fierce wildfire in northeast B.C.
Showers are predicted Saturday over the aggressive wildfire threatening Tumbler Ridge, but forecasters say thunderstorms could sweep through the parched region without bringing any rain.