There have been ups and downs to every COVID-19 update provided by the province in the last few weeks. Today, the up was that active cases of the virus once again declined. The down was that, for the first time in three days, there were deaths due to the virus. 

The Saskatchewan Health Authority reported four more people who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. Three of these deaths were in the North West zone with the youngest of them being in their 30s. The remaining death was a patient in their 60s from the South Central.

Also today, the SHA reported 186 new cases of the virus for a total of 43,481. There were 266 new recoveries today as well for a total of 40,911. Active cases in Saskatchewan now stand at 2,064. There are 162 people hospitalized due to the virus. The seven-day average of daily new cases is 204.

Today's new cases are located in the Far North West, 1; Far North East, 5; North West, 13; North Central, 29; North East, 3; Saskatoon, 53; Central West, 1; Central East, 7; Regina, 46; South West, 7; South Central, 12; and South East, 7 zones. There are two other cases with pending residence information. 

In the Central West Zone there are now 18 cases considered active. Meanwhile in North West subzone 3, which includes Wilkie and Unity there are just 24 active cases. 3,381 people in the North West Zone are fully vaccinated, while 1,211 people are fully vaccinated in the Central West Zone. There have been a total of 707 cases identified in the Central West Zone since the pandemic began, to go along with 5 deaths and 684 people have recovered. 

162 people are in hospital with 124 receiving inpatient care, and 38 are in intensive care.

Yesterday, the province processed 3,043 COVID-19 tests. The also administered 3,050 doses of COVID-19 vaccine for a total of 530,307. The first dose of the vaccine has now been given to 51 percent of Saskatchewan's adult population. 

Vaccines

The vaccine eligibility age will once again be expanding Wednesday morning at 8 am to including all residents aged 26 and over.

An additional 3,050 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 530,307.

The 3,050 doses of COVID-19 vaccine reported today were administered to residents living in the following zones: Far North West, 82; Far North Central, 1; Far North East, 19; North West, 164; North Central, 334; North East, 40; Saskatoon, 1,341; Central West, 21; Central East, 160; Regina, 269; South West, 162; South Central, 66; and South East, 307. There were 84 doses administered with zone of residence pending.

Seventy-two per cent of those over the age of 40 have received their first dose. Sixty-one per cent of those 30+ have received their first dose. Fifty-one per cent of those 18+ have received their first dose.