An additional 15,633 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 770,463.
The 15,633 doses of COVID-19 vaccine reported today were administered to residents living in the following zones: Far Northwest, 301; Far North Central, 4; Far Northeast, 253; Northwest, 358; North Central, 889; Northeast, 439; Saskatoon, 4,446; Central West, 351; Central East, 1,041; Regina, 4,632; Southwest, 551; South Central, 877; and Southeast, 1,185. There were 306 doses administered with zone of residence pending.
Seventy-seven per cent of those over the age of 40 have received their first dose. Seventy-two per cent of those 30-plus have received their first dose. Sixty-seven per cent of those 18-plus have received their first dose, while 64 per cent of those 12-plus have also received their first dose.
Second Dose Booking Eligibility
All residents 12-plus can receive their first dose. Second dose vaccinations are open to residents 65-plus or anyone who received their first dose before March 22, 2021. Individuals diagnosed with or being treated for cancer and those who have received solid organ transplants will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail that will allow them priority access to a second dose.
Eligibility to book for second doses is based on age or date of first dose. Residents who meet at least one of these criteria are eligible for their second dose.
Saskatchewan is expecting to receive 12,400 doses of Moderna this week. All shipments were delivered yesterday, with the exception of Weyburn’s (900 doses), which will be delivered later today (June 4).
Note all vaccine types will not be available at all clinic locations. Vaccine types will be listed when immunization clinics are advertised.
Second dose vaccination appointments can be booked through the Saskatchewan Health Authority online at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 or by calling 1-833-SaskVax (1-833-727-5829).
A map of participating pharmacies across the province is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmacies. This online tool includes links to pharmacy booking websites and provides details on the vaccine brand being offered at each location.
For street addresses and hours of operation for drive-thru and walk-in clinics, see www.saskatchewan.ca/drive-thru-vax.
Please do not call until you are eligible to book your vaccination appointment. If you do not know the date of your first dose or have misplaced the wallet card provided at the time of your first dose, 1-833-SaskVax can provide you with that date, or check your Immunization History on your MySaskHealthRecord account.
There may be clinic options outside your community and residents are encouraged to consider those alternate locations for immunization. Additional stops should be avoided if possible when travelling to another community for an appointment. More clinics will be added as new vaccine shipments are received.
During your second-dose appointment, the clinic or pharmacy will validate the timing and brand of your first dose to ensure you are receiving your second dose within the recommended timeframe. The type of vaccine available at each location will be advertised to ensure that you are receiving the same vaccine brand for your second dose.
Additional information on how to book your appointment is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine-booking.
Daily COVID-19 Statistics
There are 89 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan June 4, bringing the provincial total to 47,186 cases.
The new cases are located in the following zones: Far Northwest, 4; Far Northeast, 13; Northwest, 9; North Central, 6; Northeast, 2; Saskatoon, 20; Central West, 1; Central East, 5; Regina, 12; South Central, 11; and Southeast, 5. One new case is pending residence information. Three cases have been assigned to the Far Northwest, 1; and Northwest, 2; zones.
No new deaths were reported today.
Recoveries total 45,351 and 1,292 cases are considered active.
There are 101 people in hospital. Eighty people are receiving inpatient care: Far Northwest, 1; Northwest, 12; North Central, 6; Northeast, 1; Saskatoon, 28; Central West, 1; Central East, 3; Regina, 22; Southwest, 1; South Central, 2; and Southeast, 3. Twenty-one people are in intensive care, including two out-of-province transfers from Manitoba: North Central, 1; Saskatoon, 10; Central East, 2; Regina, 6; and Southwest, 2.
The seven-day average of new COVID-19 case number is 129 (10.5 per 100,000). A chart comparing today’s average to data collected over the past few months is available at https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness/covid-19/seven-day-average-of-new-covid-cases.
There were 2,599 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan June 3.
To date, 870,689 COVID-19 tests have been processed in Saskatchewan. As of June 2, 2021, when other provincial and national numbers were available, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 732,315 tests performed per million population. The national rate was921,392.
As of June 3, 11,119 variants of concern have been identified by screening in Saskatchewan, reported in the following zones: Far Northwest, 258; Far North Central, 1; Far Northeast, 65; Northwest, 647; North Central, 505; Northeast, 67; Saskatoon, 1,830; Central West, 111; Central East, 609; Regina, 4,686; Southwest, 384; South Central, 800; and Southeast, 1,088. There are 68 screened VOCs with residence pending.
New lineage results were reported for 85 VOC today. Of the 5,879 VOCs with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in Saskatchewan, 5,656 are B.1.1.1.7 (UK), 181 are P.1 (Brazilian), 32 are B.1.617 (Indian) and 10 are B.1.351 (SA).
Confirmed variant of concern cases may appear in both columns on the website, depending on testing for that case. Adding the cases identified by screening and those that have received whole genome sequencing may result in double-counting individual cases.
Further statistics on the total number of cases among health care workers, breakdowns of total cases by source of infection, age, sex and region, total tests to date, per capita testing rate and current numbers of confirmed variants of concern can be found at http://www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-cases.
It may not be allergies or a spring cold. Get tested for COVID-19.
Fever? Cough and headache? Fatigued or experiencing shortness of breath? Do not “tough it out” or assume it’s spring allergies. Stay home and seek a COVID-19 test. Testing remains one of the most important tools to limiting the spread of COVID-19 in your community. Even if you have been recently vaccinated, it can take up to three weeks for your immune system to respond. Vaccines are not a cure preventing all possible transmission and you remain at risk of contracting COVID-19 during that time.
COVID-19 testing is available to all residents. You can still receive a referral for COVID-19 testing through HealthLine 811 or a health care provider, and drive-thru testing sites are available without a referral seven days a week in Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton and Prince Albert. Information on symptoms to watch for and how to get tested is available at saskatchewan.ca/covid19-testing.
Step 1 of Saskatchewan’s Reopening Roadmap is Underway
Step 1 of Saskatchewan’s Reopening Roadmap is underway and public health orders have been updated. Details on the Re-Opening Roadmap can be viewed at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/saskatchewans-re-opening-roadmap.
Reminder: while the restrictions being lifted are no longer mandatory, many are still recommended. Older persons and those with increased risk factors may wish to wait until two weeks after receiving a second dose before attending gatherings. Transmission is generally less likely outdoors than indoors.
Step 2 of Saskatchewan’s Reopening Roadmap is tentatively scheduled to begin June 20. If we continue to remain diligent and observe public health measures, we will reach our goal of re-opening our province in the coming weeks.
General COVID-19 Information
General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.
Know your risk. Keep yourself and others safe: www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/about-covid-19/know-your-risk.