Sask. reports five new COVID-19 cases, six more recoveries, eight hospitalizations

The number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan’s central region continued to climb Wednesday.

In a media release, the Government of Saskatchewan said there were five new cases to report. That included three in the central region, one in the Saskatoon area and one in the south.

From May 9 through July 5, the number of cases in the central region remained at 12. After rising to 13 on July 6 and 14 on July 9, it since has risen to 53.

In the south region, the total number of cases has gone from 64 on July 1 to its current level of 84.

The central area now has 35 of the province’s 75 active cases, far and away the most among the regions. The south is next at 18, followed by Saskatoon (nine), the far north (six), Regina (five) and the north (two).

The five new cases increased the total number in the province to date to 881.

The government said six more recoveries were reported across the province, increasing that total so far to 791. To date, 15 people have died due to complications from the virus.

The number of Saskatchewan residents hospitalized due to COVID-19 has risen to eight. That’s nearly triple the number of people who were in hospital on Monday, when there were three hospitalizations.

Six people — five in Saskatoon and one in the south — are receiving inpatient care. One person in Saskatoon and one individual in the south are in intensive care.

The total number of cases comprises 497 community contacts, 179 travellers, 132 without any known exposures, and 73 that are being investigated by local public health officials.

To date, 58 health-care workers have contracted the virus.

There have been 339 cases in the far north, 200 from the Saskatoon area, 120 in the north, 85 in the Regina area, 84 from the south and 53 from the central region.

The total includes 310 cases in the 20-to-39 age range, 271 between the ages of 40 and 59, 153 from 60 to 79 years of age, 122 involving people 19 and under, and 25 in the 80-and-over range.

There were 920 COVID-19 tests reported Wednesday, increasing the total done in Saskatchewan to date to 76,694.

The provincial government didn’t hold a media conference to discuss the latest numbers.