Province reports 205 new cases of COVID-19 and 176 recoveries

One hundred forty-three (143) people are in hospital. One hundred and fifteen (115) people are receiving inpatient care: Far North West (three), Far North East (one), North West (seven), North Central (six), Saskatoon (41), Central East (six), Regina (42), South West (one), South Central (five) and South East (three). Twenty-eight (28) people are in intensive care: Saskatoon (10), Central East (two), Regina (15) and South Central (one).

Current hospitalizations as of March 22. (Government of Saskatchewan)

The seven-day average of daily new cases is 159 (13.0 new cases per 100,000). A chart comparing today’s average to data collected over the past several months is available on the Government of Saskatchewan website. Please visit https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness/covid-19/seven-day-average-of-new-covid-cases.

There were 2,814 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on March 21.

To date, 633,275 COVID-19 tests have been processed in Saskatchewan. As of March 20, when other provincial and national numbers were available, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 531,812 tests performed per million population. The national rate was 699,715 tests performed per million population.

As of March 22, there are no new confirmed variants of concern (VOC) cases to report. There are 156 confirmed variants of concern cases in Saskatchewan: 149 B1.1.1.7 (UK) and seven B1.351 (SA). The Regina zone accounts for 141 (or 90 per cent) of the confirmed VOC cases reported in Saskatchewan.

In addition to the confirmed cases, there are currently 748 presumptive VOC cases reported in the Far North East (one), Saskatoon (18), Central East (eight), Regina (640), South Central (42) and South East (39) zones.

Further statistics on the total number of cases among healthcare workers, breakdowns of total cases by source of infection, age, sex and region, total tests to date, the per capita testing rate and current numbers of confirmed variants of concern can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan website. Please visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/cases-and-risk-of-covid-19-in-saskatchewan.

NITHA Data

As of March 21, there are 33 active cases of COVID-19 in NITHA communities.

These cases are located in the Far North Central, Athabasca (six), Far North West (two), Far North East (15), North Central (five), and North East (five). There are 3,254 cases (98 per cent) recovered, and one person is currently in hospital.

Facebook/NITHA Saskatchewan

Vaccines Reported

An additional 4,344 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 144,171.

The 4,344 doses of COVID-19 vaccine reported today were administered in the following regions: Far North West (277), Saskatoon (489), Central East (348), Regina (3,116) and South East (114).

Vaccine distribution across the province as of March 22. (Government of Saskatchewan)

Of the doses administered March 21, 2,362 were delivered at the Regina drive thru clinic. To date, this is the highest one-day total for vaccine delivery at the drive-thru location.

For a listing of first and second doses in Saskatchewan administered by geographic zone, visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine-update.

Residents 67 years and older are currently eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccination online or by phone. Additional information on eligibility and how to book your appointment is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/vaccine-booking.

Earlier today, PHAC determined four Pfizer thermal shippers, reported damaged over the weekend, are not damaged and the contained doses are safe. The 5,850 doses believed delayed will be delivered to Saskatchewan this week as scheduled.

Act to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission in Regina

There is an elevated risk of COVID-19 in Regina due to community transmission of variants of concern.

It is recommended that Regina and area residents not increase their household bubbles beyond their current household.

While worship services throughout the province have expanded to 30 per cent of capacity or 150 people, whichever is the lesser number, places of worship in Regina and adjacent communities will remain at the current capacity level which is a maximum of 30 individuals, with required physical distancing and masking guidelines. This will remain in effect until April 5 and will be evaluated at that time.

The adjacent communities include: Belle Plaine, Pense, Grand Coulee, Lumsden Beach, Regina Beach, Craven, Lumsden, Edenwold, Pilot Butte, White City, Balgonie, Kronau, Davin, Gray, Riceton, RM of Lajord, RM of Edenwold, RM of Sherwood, RM of Pense, and RM of Lumsden.

All residents of Regina, those who work in Regina and area and those who are planning travel to the region, are asked to abide by all best personal protective measures at this time to avoid further restrictions. Minimize the risk in the city and throughout the region.

Wear your mask in all public places including all workplaces.
Wash non-medical masks daily.
Maintain physical distancing.
Wash your hands frequently.
Reduce activities outside of your home. Order take-out or curbside pick-up. If you are able to work from home, work from home at this time.
Avoid all unnecessary travel to and from Regina.

If you have any symptoms, stay home and arrange for a COVID-19 test. If anyone in your home has symptoms, the entire household should remain home until the test results are known. Testing information is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/testing-information.

Enforcing Public Health Measures

Enforcement of public health orders is permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994. Public health inspectors will be supported in their efforts to ticket violators to ensure that businesses and events are brought into compliance as quickly as possible, in addition to the enforcement efforts that have been undertaken by police agencies throughout the province.

For more information on the current public health measures or to see the Public Health Order, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-measures.

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.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by paNOW Staff

Province reports 205 new cases of COVID-19 and 176 recoveries

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