Seven cases reported in North Central Monday

(File photo/Jayda Taylor)

There were 177 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the province on Monday.

For the first time in three days there were no additional deaths reported.

The number of deaths in the province currently sits at 372.    

The North Central zone, which includes Prince Albert, reported seven new cases.    

North Central 2, which is Prince Albert, has 37  active cases.      

North Central 1, which includes communities such as Christopher Lake, Candle Lake and Meath Park, has 58 active cases and North Central 3 has 22 active cases.    
There are currently 177 people in hospital overall in the province. Of the 162 reported as receiving in patient care there are 17 in North Central. Of the 15 people reported as being in intensive care there is one in North Central.    

The current seven-day average 158, or 12.9 cases per 100,000 population.

Of the 27,797 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 1,652  are considered active.      

The recovered number now sits at 25,468 after 195 more recoveries were reported.    

The total numbers of cases since the beginning of the pandemic is 27,797 of those 7,218 cases are from the North area (2,904 North West, 3,187 North Central and 1,127 North East).

There were 2,105 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on Feb. 21.    

As of today there have been 561,183 COVID-19 tests performed in Saskatchewan.  

Over 80 per cent of long-term care home residents vaccinated

According to the province on Monday 81 per cent of residents in long-term care homes have received, as well 43 per cent have received both first and second doses and are now fully vaccinated

 “Our health care workers are doing an excellent job of administering vaccines quickly, safely and efficiently in long-term care facilities across the province,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in the release.

“The only thing slowing them down is the shortage of vaccines from the federal government,” Merriman added.

“When we get enough doses, we will be able to quickly finish vaccinating all the residents and staff in our long-term care homes.  We look forward to having our seniors in long-term care fully vaccinated as soon as possible so they are protected from the threat of COVID-19.”

There were 920 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered yesterday in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 61,730.  

There were no doses administered in the North Central zone on Sunday. Doses were administered in the North West, Central East and South Central zones.

The South Central and Regina zones reported an additional 67 doses administered on Feb. 20.

According to the release the province remains in phase one of vaccine delivery, targeting residents and staff of long-term and personal-care homes, identified health care providers, residents 70 years and older and residents aged 50 and older in remote/Northern Saskatchewan.  Eligible populations will be contacted directly to receive their vaccinations.   

They added that registration for appointments for phase two sequenced populations will be available when phase two commences.  People are advised not to contact HealthLine 811 to register for vaccinations at this time.  Notification will be provided when the registration system is available.  

Province announces pharmacists will play role in phase two of vaccination delivery

Also on Monday the government announced that pharmacists in the province are on board to play a key role in delivery of vaccinations. Pharmacists will be delivering COVID-19 vaccine through community pharmacies in Phase 2 of the provincial immunization plan.  The participation of Saskatchewan pharmacists will significantly increase public access to the vaccine, improving the rate of vaccination.
“We appreciate that Saskatchewan pharmacists are ready to step up and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine,” Merriman said in a release.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is working hard to make sure COVID-19 vaccine is safely delivered into the arms of Saskatchewan residents through all possible avenues.”
Details of the plan for pharmacy delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine are currently under development, including which community pharmacies are participating.
“We are proud to join other health care professionals in providing safe, timely access to COVID-19 vaccinations for Saskatchewan residents,” Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan Board Chair George Furneaux said.
The government has negotiated a tentative new pharmacy Proprietor Agreement with the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan on behalf of all Saskatchewan pharmacies.  The Agreement establishes the fee for pharmacist delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, along with increases in prescription dispensing fees and influenza vaccine fees.  It is for a one year term, beginning March 1, 2021.

-Advertisement-