Latest COVID update Oct. 12: 271 cases, lowest daily count since Tuesday

A total of 271 cases were reported in Saskatchewan Tuesday, the lowest in a week since 242 were reported on Oct. 5.

There are 4,450 cases currently active in Saskatchewan.

Two new deaths were also reported Tuesday in the province.

Influenza clinics opening

Mass immunization clinics are returning to Saskatchewan, with influenza vaccine clinics beginning in Saskatchewan Tuesday. These clinics will be in addition to the pop-up mobile clinics offered in the province over the past two months.

More than 50,000 appointments for immunization are available in the online patient booking system, in addition to some availability at walk-in clinics. Around 24,000 appointments have already been booked.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is introducing a new way to book these appointments online, using a flu shot booking tool available on their website. A phone call can also secure a flu shot appointment at 1-833-SASKVAX (727-5829).

COVID-19 vaccinations will also be available at most SHA-operated flu shot clinics, allowing residents the option of receiving both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time. These appointments can be booked using the same methods and only one appointment is needed to receive both shots.

Weekly summary

Since Oct. 6, 27,373 vaccine doses have been administered in the province, bringing the total number to 1,604,075.

As of Tues., Oct. 12, 83 per cent of residents at or over the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose and 74 per cent of those in the same age group are fully vaccinated.

A total of 3,410 new cases of the virus were reported in Saskatchewan from Oct. 6 to 12. During the same period, 3,307 recoveries were recorded.

Twenty-seven new deaths and 384 new linage results were reported over the past week.

A total of 28,014 COVID-19 tests were also processed in the province between Oct. 6 and 12.

A look at the numbers

New cases were located in the Saskatoon (81), northwest (35), Regina (35), north central (30), central east (25), far northeast (19), far northwest (nine), northeast (nine), south central (four), southeast (three), southwest (three) and central west (two) zones.

There are 348 people in hospital, with 268 receiving inpatient care: Saskatoon (89), Regina (63), northwest (34), north central (26), northeast (12), southwest (11), southeast (nine), central east (eight), south central (seven), far northwest (five) and central west (four).

A total of 80 patients are in intensive care from the Saskatoon (41), Regina (19), central east (seven), north central (five), northwest (three), south central (three) and southwest (two) zones.

Of those in hospital, 261 (75 per cent) are not fully vaccinated.

New COVID-19 tests reported Tuesday numbered 2,425.

A total of 753 deaths have been recorded. There have been 72,730 cases of COVID-19 and 67,527 recoveries in the province.

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases is 487.

Vaccine update

Newly administered doses of the vaccine numbered 539.

Just over 85 per cent of people at or over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those in the same age category, 75.85 per cent of the province is fully vaccinated.

New cases at Saskatoon schools

COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared at two public schools in Saskatoon by the SHA.

Saskatoon Public Schools was notified that outbreaks have been declared at Holliston School and John Lake School.

Information about the outbreaks has been shared with students, staff and families at each school, according to a news release.

Four cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at Holliston school since classes began on Sept. 1. Five positive cases have been connected to John Lake School. A total of 214 positive cases have been confirmed at 53 schools in the Saskatoon Public Schools division.

Classes at both schools are continuing as scheduled. Safety protocols put in place at the schools include mandatory masking and enhanced cleaning.