A healthcare worker at a drive-thru testing facility in Ont. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

By paNOW Staff

COVID-19 Update

Province reports 231 new cases of COVID-19, 317 recoveries, four deaths

Apr 21, 2021 | 2:25 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan has reported 231 new cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday April 21, as well as 317 recoveries and four new deaths. This brings the provincial total to 38,883 cases, 35,863 recoveries and 2,551 active cases. One case not previously reported was added to the Saskatoon total.

All four deaths were reported in the Regina zone from the 30-39 (one), 40-49 (one), 70-79 (one) and 80+ (one) age groups.

The new cases in Northern Saskatchewan are located in the Far North West (12), North West (eight), North Central (four), and North East (one) zones. Nine new cases have pending residence information. Seven cases with pending residence information have been assigned to the North Central (one), Central East (one) and Regina (five) zones.

The Saskatchewan government announced another 213 new cases of COVID-19 in the province as of April 21. (Government of Saskatchewan)

One hundred and eighty-five people are in hospital. One hundred and thirty-six people are receiving inpatient care: Far North East (one), North West (two), North Central (seven), North East (one), Saskatoon (47), Central West (one), Central East (eight), Regina (56), South West (one), South Central (four) and South East (eight). Forty-nine people are in intensive care: North Central (two), Saskatoon (eight), Central East (four), Regina (34) and South Central (one).

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As of April 21, there are 185 people across the province in hospital due to COVID-19. This includes 49 people in intensive care. (Government of Saskatchewan)

NITHA Data

As of April 20, there were 27 active cases of COVID-19 in NITHA communities. These cases are located as follows: Far North Central, Athabasca (0), Far North West (14), Far North East (11), North Central (0), and North East (two). There have been 3,400 cases (98%) leading to recovery.

As of April 20, there are 27 active cases of COVID-19 in NITHA communities. (NITHA Saskatchewan/Facebook)

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 case numbers was 253 (20.7 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 at https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness/covid-19/seven-day-average-of-new-covid-cases.

There were 2,740 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on April 20, 2021.

To date, 737,572 COVID-19 tests have been processed in Saskatchewan. As of April 19, when other provincial and national numbers were available, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 619,281 tests performed per million population. The national rate was 793,800 tests performed per million population.

As of April 20, 5,302 variants of concern have been identified by screening in Saskatchewan, reported in the Far North West (45), Far North East (two), North West (103), North Central (63), North East (six), Saskatoon (543), Central West (73), Central East (197), Regina (3,118), South West (123), South Central (417) and South East (542) zones. There are 70 cases with residence pending.

There are currently 2,551 active cases of COVID-19 across the province as of April 21. (Government of Saskatchewan)

Variants of Concern (VOC)

There are zero new lineage results reported today. Of the 2,060 VOCs with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in Saskatchewan, 2,046 are B.1.1.1.7 (UK), nine (9) are B.1.351 (SA) and five (5) are P.1. (Brazilian). The Regina zone accounts for 1,474 (72 per cent) of the VOC cases with confirmed lineage reported in Saskatchewan.

Please note that these VOCs may have been initially identified via means other than screening (i.e. selection for whole genome sequencing without screening) and that whole genome sequencing results to identify lineage are included in the screening results.

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 healthcare 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.

Vaccines Reported

An additional 7,554 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 365,001.

The 7,554 doses of COVID-19 vaccine reported today were administered to residents living in the following regions: Far North West (126), Far North Central (2), Far North East (155), North West (675), North Central (533), North East (321), Saskatoon (1,743), Central West (342), Central East (1,007), Regina (743), South West (408), South Central (512) and South East (719). There were 268 doses administered with zone of residence pending.

As of April 21, 7,554 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given in Saskatchewan. This brings the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 365,001. (Government of Saskatchewan)

Fifty-two per cent of Saskatchewan residents age 40+ have received their first dose:

*There has been a vaccination data correction for the health care worker category. Approximately 2,000 additional Phase One priority healthcare workers have received their vaccinations and were included in today’s report.

Note that the as of April 22, Phase One priority vaccinations will be considered complete, as the province continues with Phase Two vaccination roll out. The separate reporting of Phase One healthcare worker category will cease and this population will be reported on in the general age categories. Anyone identified as eligible for Phase One vaccination who did not yet receive a vaccine, can still make an appointment to be vaccinated. Once you are eligible you remain eligible.

All vaccine administration details for the province, including first and second doses, can be found on the dashboard at https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness. As the source database for vaccine information, Panorama is subject to continuous data updates which may result in revised counts, day over day.

Vaccination Booking System Open to Ages 44+

Effective 8:00 am, Apr. 22, eligibility in the provincial age-based immunization program moves to age 44, except for the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, where it remains age 40 and older. This applies to all immunization clinics: booked appointments, drive-thru/walk-in, and mobile.

Appointments can be made online at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19. People who do not have a cell phone or email account, need assistance in booking, or are providing documentation for priority eligibility status must book by calling 1-833-SaskVax (1-833-727-5829). Additional information on how to book your appointment is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine-booking.

All Public Health Measures Extended to May 10

Due to increased COVID-19 transmission risk throughout the province, the Chief Medical Health Officer has extended all current provincial public health orders until May 10. The orders will be reviewed at that time.

Current public health orders restrict all private indoor gatherings to immediate household only and limit outdoor gatherings to maximum of 10 people. Physical distancing of at least two metres between households must be maintained.

Due to increased COVID-19 transmission risk, additional restrictions are in place for Regina and area including: all restaurants and licensed establishments must remain closed for in-person dining, with take-out and delivery permitted.

Travel is also not recommended in or out of the Regina area unless absolutely necessary. It is strongly recommended that all individuals able to work from home do so.

Full details on current public health measures can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-measures.

All residents are urged to adhere to best personal protective measures:

• 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 throughout the province at this time

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 knownTesting 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.

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.