Sask. reports highest number of new COVID-19 cases since reopening
The Saskatchewan government reported 80 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, which is the highest number seen since the province fully reopened on July 11.
The new cases are in the Far Northwest (28); Far North Central (six); Far Northeast (two); Northwest (five); North Central (six); Northeast (one); Saskatoon (11); Central East (two); Regina (six); Southwest (two); South Central (one) and Southeast (seven) zones. Location information is pending for three cases.
The province also recorded 53 recoveries and no additional deaths.
There are 479 active cases across Saskatchewan, which continue to be concentrated in the northern half of the province. Forty-five per cent of active cases are in the Far North zones and 13 per cent of active cases are in Northern zones. Saskatoon accounts for 15 per cent of active cases, while Regina makes up 12 per cent.
On Friday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority issued warnings about increased COVID-19 activity in Lloydminster and Swift Current.
The province said there were 1,810 COVID-19 tests processed on Friday. The seven-day average of daily new cases is 50.
There are 46 COVID-19 patients are in hospital; 11 are in ICU in the North Central (one); Saskatoon (five); and Regina (five) zones.
VACCINATIONS
According to the province, health-care workers have administered an additional 5,308 vaccines since the last update.
As of Saturday, 1,411,497 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Saskatchewan, including 761,397 first doses and 650,100 second shots.
The SHA said Sunday is the last opportunity for children between the ages of 12 and 17 to get their first dose if they want to be fully immunized before school starts.
According to public health, children should get the shot by Aug. 1, then wait the minimum 28 days to get the second. The SHA noted it takes around two weeks for the second dose to be fully effective.
VARIANTS OF CONCERN
The government said a total of 12,356 COVID-19 cases have been identified as variants of concern. Of those cases, 8,050 have been whole genome sequenced; 7,041 are Alpha (B.1.1.7), 573 are Delta (B.1.617.2), 426 are Gamma (P.1), and 10 are Beta (B.1.351).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.