The province has made its first COVID-19 update since December 24 and there is sad news to report as seven more people in the province who tested positive for the virus have died bringing the total number to 141.

Two new deaths in the age group 80+ were reported in the North West zone. Two new deaths in the age group 70-79 were reported in the North Central zone. One new death in the age group 30-39 was reported in the North West. One new death in the age group 80+ was reported in Regina, and one new death in the age group 80+ was reported in the South East zone.

From December 25-27, there were 559 cases (229 on the 25th, 132 on the 26th and 198 on the 27th).  With 500 recoveries, the active case count is now at 3,398.

The new cases are located in the Far North West (25), Far North East (44), North West (41), North Central (104), North East (22), Saskatoon (126), Central West (2), Central East (21), Regina (70), South West (2), South Central (4) and South East (11) zones. Eighty-seven (87) new cases have pending residence information.

The seven-day average of daily new cases is now at 180/

182 people are in hospital with 156 getting inpatient care and 26 in intensive care.

The province has had to tweak the number of people in hospital to align with national definitions.  Some are people who are not infectious and considered recovered, but who are still receiving care for complications of COVID-19.

The next update will come Tuesday.