The provincial government has announced three deaths from residents who tested positive for COVID-19, along with 129 new COVID-19 cases and 269 more recoveries.
The three new deaths are from individuals who were in the 70 to 79 age group. One resident was from the Far North East and two from the Saskatoon zone. Total deaths in Saskatchewan have increased to 522.
Saskatchewan has not seen a daily COVID-19 case count as low as what has been reported on Tuesday since March 18 when that number was 116. The new cases are located in the Far North West (1), Far North East (5), North West (18), North Central (14), North East (4), Saskatoon (47), Central West (3), Central East (5), Regina (22), South West (1), South Central (2) and South East (7).
The active case count is down to 1,825 while the seven-day average is at 187 or 15.3 new cases per 100,000 population.
(Image: Government of Saskatchewan)
There are 142 people in hospital. 115 are receiving inpatient care with 44 in Saskatoon and 47 in Regina. 27 people are in intensive care with nine in Saskatoon and 15 in Regina.
As of Tuesday, an additional 5,399 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the province, bringing the total number to 608,524. 75 per cent of those over the age of 40 have received their first dose, 68 per cent of those 30 and over have received their first dose, while 59 per cent of those 18 and up have received their first dose.
| Status of Population Vaccinations, as of May 17, 2021 | |||
| Group | Estimated Population |
Received First Dose |
Fully Vaccinated |
| Age 80+ | 51,307 | 45,519 (89%) | 13,307 (26%) |
| Age 70-79 | 79,818 | 69,949 (88%) | 5,892 (7%) |
| Age 60-69 | 138,471 | 113,268(82%) | 5,841 (4%) |
| Age 50-59 | 147,466 | 102,799 (70%) | 7,222 (5%) |
| Age 40-49 | 151,896 | 93,175 (61%) | 6,147 (4%) |
| Age 30-39 | 183,246 | 83,661 (46%) | 6,136 (3%) |
| Age 18-29 | 189,909 | 49,613 (26%) | 4,405 (2%) |
As of Tuesday, 9,467 variants of concern have been identified by screening in Saskatchewan, reported in the following zones:
- Far North West, 209;
- Far North East, 18;
- North West, 422;
- North Central, 293;
- North East, 55;
- Saskatoon, 1,336;
- Central West, 101;
- Central East, 475;
- Regina, 4,428;
- South West, 322;
- South Central, 681; and
- South East, 978.
There are 143 new lineage results reported on Tuesday. Of the 4,586 VOCs with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in Saskatchewan, 4,477 are B.1.1.1.7 (UK), 92 are P.1 (Brazilian), 10 are B.1.351 (SA), and seven are B.1.617 (Indian).
Negative COVID-19 Test Results On Your Phone Beginning Tomorrow
Residents can receive notification of a negative COVID-19 test result through an automated text messaging system starting Wednesday.
To prepare for this notification option, the Saskatchewan Health Authority began data collection on May 14 through the online requisition form at drive-thru and static testing sites. Those who choose this notification option will have to grant permission at the time of their COVID-19 test.
These text messages will be identified as originating from the SHA and will require identification verification in order to see the results.
Individuals who have a positive COVID-19 test result will still receive a call from public health, providing them with direction on self-isolation and to complete contact tracing questions.
