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Saskatchewan reported just 17 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, its lowest daily total since early October.
The last time reported cases were that low in the province was Oct. 7, when the number was 10.
However, the low case total could be a reflection of testing numbers. According to the Ministry of Health, only 976 tests were done Sunday — the fewest since 757 were done Sept. 9.
The seven-day average of new cases fell Monday to 43, or 3.5 per 100,000 population. It hasn’t been that low since it was 43 on Oct. 21.
“Declining case numbers are a significant indicator that vaccination efforts are having an impact in the province,” the Ministry of Health said in its daily update.
“In order to further reduce COVID-19 transmission now and through the remainder of 2021, residents are still encouraged to get their first and second doses of the vaccine.”
Saskatchewan also reported 98 recoveries, 12 new cases of variants of concern and an active caseload of 468 — the lowest that figure has been since it was 427 on Oct. 20.
There weren’t any new deaths reported.
The province reported 12,395 new vaccinations were done, comprising 981 first doses and 11,414 second shots. To date, 406,188 people have received both doses and are considered fully vaccinated.
A look at the numbers
The new cases increased the province’s total to date to 48,771.
The latest cases were reported in the Regina (four), Saskatoon (three), southeast (three), far northwest (two), far northeast (one), northwest (one), north-central (one) and central-east (one) zones. The hometown of one new case is pending.
That’s the fewest new cases reported in Saskatoon in a day since one was reported Oct. 18.
The latest recoveries increase Saskatchewan’s total to date to 47,737.
There are 13 COVID patients in Saskatchewan’s intensive care units, with six in Saskatoon, three in the north-central region and two in each of the Regina and northwest zones. There also are 63 people receiving inpatient care in the province.
Vaccination update
To date, 1,127,683 doses of COVID vaccine have been administered in the province.
The latest shots were given in the Saskatoon (5,071), Regina (3,353), northwest (727), south-central (714), central-east (648), north-central (539), southwest (255), southeast (242), northeast (188), central-west (124), far northeast (120) and far northwest (88) zones.
A further 326 doses were administered to people whose hometowns are still being determined.
So far in Saskatchewan, 80 per cent of those over the age of 40 have received their first dose. The government says 70 per cent of those 12 and up have received their first dose, meeting the province’s target to lift all public health measures July 11.
