COVID cases, deaths, hospitalizations, outbreaks all increasing in Saskatchewan

COVID-19 activity is increasing in Saskatchewan, according to the monthly update from the Ministry of Health.

According to the latest report, issued Thursday, 1,524 confirmed cases were detected between July 17 and last Saturday, an average of 381 new cases per week. By comparison, there were 628 new cases reported between June 26 and July 16 for an average of 209 per week.

In the latest reporting period, Saskatchewan’s rate of positive tests increased from four per cent to 7.4 per cent, with the highest rates found in the Saskatoon and central-east zones.

Hospital admissions also rose, with 488 patients admitted in the latest reporting period compared to 265 admissions during the prior period. ICU admissions spiked as well, with 27 admissions in the latest report compared to 18 included in the last update.

COVID-related deaths increased during the latest reporting period, with 27 deaths reported. That’s up from 22 deaths in the previous period.

“With approximately 45 per cent of the population receiving at least three doses, more Saskatchewan residents need to receive their COVID-19 booster doses,” the Ministry of Health noted in the report.

“Immunization remains the best protection against severe outcomes of COVID-19 including hospitalization and death.”

All adults in Saskatchewan became eligible for a second booster shot this week, as long as four months have passed since their third dose.

One of the largest spikes in the latest reporting period was in confirmed outbreaks, which is defined as “two or more COVID-19 cases in settings outside a household where transmission is evident or there is a high level of suspicion of transmission.”

According to the latest report, 46 outbreaks occurred between July 17 and this past Saturday compared to just three reported between June 26 and July 16.

As of last Friday, the ministry noted, more than 22.1 million rapid antigen test kits have been distributed in Saskatchewan. Positive cases detected by rapid tests do not appear on the ministry’s monthly report.

Remdesivir and Paxlovid, antiviral drugs used in the treatment of COVID, are both being distributed in the province.

According to the ministry, 89 Remdesivir prescriptions have been filled and 216 infusions had been completed as of Saturday. As of Sunday, 789 courses of Paxlovid have been dispensed by pharmacies.