Province reports six new cases of COVID-19 in North Central Friday

(File photo/Jayda Taylor)

Saskatchewan health officials reported six new cases of COVID-19 in North Central, which includes Prince Albert, on Friday.

This was among a total of 89 cases reported in the province. Saskatoon led the province with 20 cases reported.

North Central 2, which is Prince Albert, has 53 active cases. North Central 1, which includes communities such as Christopher Lake, Candle Lake and Meath Park, has 48 active cases and North Central 3 has 22 active cases.

There were no new deaths reported Friday and the number of deaths related to COVID-19 remains 543.

There are currently 101 COVID-19 patients in hospital across the province. Of the 80 reported as receiving in patient care, six are in North Central. Of the 21 people reported as being in intensive care, one is in North Central.

The province also reported two out-of-province transfers from Manitoba in the ICU numbers.

The current seven-day average for new cases is 129, or 10.5 cases per 100,000 population. Of the 47,186 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan 1,292 are considered active.

Another 111 recoveries were reported on Friday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 45,351.

Since the start of the pandemic, 10,359 cases are from the North area (4,473 North West, 4,324 North Central, 1,562 North East).

There were 2,599 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan  yesterday. As of June 3, there have been 870,689 COVID-19 tests performed in Saskatchewan.

There were 15,633 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in Saskatchewan bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 770,463.

There were 889 doses administered in the North Central Zone reported on Thursday. Doses were also administered in the adjacent North East, North West, Far North East, Far North West, Central West, Central East, South West, South East, South Central, Regina and Saskatoon.

There were 306 doses administered with zone of residence information pending,

According to the province, 77 percent of residents over the age of 40 have received their first dose, 72 percent of those 30 plus have received their first dose, 67 per cent of those 18 plus have received their first dose and 64 per cent of those 12 plus have received their first dose.

All residents 12 plus can receive their first dose. Second dose vaccinations are open to residents 65 plus or anyone who received their first dose before March 22, 2021. Individuals diagnosed with or being treated for cancer and those who have received solid organ transplants will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail that will allow them priority access to a second dose.

Eligibility to book for second doses is based on age or date of first dose. Residents who meet at least one of these criteria are eligible for their second dose. The following table is a tentative guideline for those who received Pfizer or Moderna for their first dose; timelines may change due to vaccine availability.

505 total variants of concern identified in North Central

There are now 505 confirmed variants of concern (VOC) cases identified by the province in the North Central zone as of June 3.

This was among 11,119 variants of concern identified by screening in Saskatchewan to date. Other regions with identified cases included Regina, Saskatoon, Far North East, Central West, Central East, South West, South Central and South East. There are currently 68 cases with area of residency pending.

There are now 67 variants identified in the adjacent North East zone.

Regina led the province with 4,686 identified VOCs.

There were 85 new lineage results reported today. Of the 5,879 VOCs with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in Saskatchewan, 5,656 are B.1.1.1.7 (UK), 10 are B.1.351 (SA) and 181 are P.1. (Brazilian) and 32 are B.1.617 (Indian).

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