Saskatchewan health officials reported three new deaths related to COVID-19 on Saturday.
There were two deaths, one in the 40 to 49 age group and one in the 60 to 69 age group, in the Regina zone. The other was in the Saskatoon zone and in the 70 to 79 age group.
The number of deaths related to COVID-19 has risen to 494.
On Saturday there were 20 new cases reported in North Central, which includes Prince Albert.
In the province there was a total of 262 new cases reported. Regina led the province with 71 new cases reported.
North Central 2, which is Prince Albert, has 51 active cases. North Central 1, which includes communities such as Christopher Lake, Candle Lake and Meath Park, has 32 active cases and North Central 3 has 53 active cases.
One case with residence pending has been added to North Central.
There are currently 167 COVID-19 patients in hospital across the province. Of the 129 reported as receiving in patient care, there are three in North Central. Of the 38 people reported as being in intensive care, there are two in North Central.
The current seven-day average for new cases is 238, or 19.74 cases per 100,000 population. Of the 41,360 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 2,452 are considered active.
Another 233 recoveries were reported on Saturday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 38,414.
Since the start of the pandemic, 9,108 cases are from the North area (3,874 North West, 3,792 North Central and 1,442 North East)
There were 3,856 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on April 26.
As of today there have been 773,643 COVID-19 tests performed in Saskatchewan.
There were 7,403 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in Saskatchewan bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 435,142.
There were 413 doses administered in the North Central Zone reported on Friday. Doses were also administered in the adjacent North East, North West, Far North Central, Far North East, Far North Central, Central West, Central East, South Central, South East, South West, Regina and Saskatoon.
There were 232 doses administered with zone of residence pending.
According to the province, 81 per cent of residents over the age of 60 have received their first dose and 41 per cent of those 18 plus have received their first dose.
After it was announced late Friday, distribution of the Janssen vaccines are on hold until Health Canada approves the product through the regulatory process. More information on when Saskatchewan will receive this shipment is expected next week.
Effective yesterday eligibility in the provincial age-based immunization program has expanded to age 40 and older, except for the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, where it has expanded to age 30 and older. Remaining prioritized front-line workers are also now eligible.
Eligible priority groups under 40 years of age may visit a drive-thru or walk-in clinic, arrange an appointment with a participating pharmacy, or call 1-833-SaskVax (1-833-727-5829) to make an appointment through the SHA booking system.
The online booking system is only available to those 40 plus and public health must ensure residents under 40 are not scheduled in a clinic providing AstraZeneca.
129 variants of concern identified in North Central
There are now 129 confirmed variants of concern (VOC) cases identified by the province in the North Central zone, as of April 30.
This was among 6,999 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 83 cases with area of residency pending.
There are now 22 VOCs identified in the adjacent North East.
Regina led the province with 3,777 identified VOCs.
There were no new lineage results reported today. Of the 2,522 VOCs with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in Saskatchewan, 2,491 are B.1.1.1.7 (UK), nine are B.1.351 (SA) and 22 are P.1. (Brazilian).
The Regina zone accounts for 1,653 (or 66 per cent) of the VOC cases with confirmed lineage reported in Saskatchewan.
