While new cases of COVID-19 and novel coronavirus-related fatalities went up from the previous week’s Ministry of Health report, the same update shows hospitalizations and I-C-U numbers are down in Saskatchewan.
As of Wednesday, there were 165 residents in a provincial hospital due to COVID-19, including six infections being treated in an I-C-U. Those numbers were down 22 and four, respectively, from the June 8 report. Of the 165 people in hospital, 51 are COVID-related illnesses, 106 are incidental COVID infections and the remaining eight patient cases are under investigation. New cases of the virus went up from 285 to 394 for the week between June 5-11 with 17 COVID-related deaths, compared to 10 the week previous. However, the Ministry of Health points out that 15 of the 17 fatalities are from September 28, 2021 to June 4, 2022 because the regular audit process discovered the missing information and these were included in this week’s case count. In addition, five COVID-19 outbreaks were reported this week in long term care facilities and personal care homes, less than last week’s eight. Two of the new outbreaks were in Saskatoon. Plus, among the provincial population aged 18 and over, 52.6 per cent have had at least one booster vaccination.
Highlights for the week
5,880 laboratory tests were performed in Saskatchewan,
nearly identical to the previous week (n = 5,888); reflecting
4.9 tests performed per 1,000 population.
The weekly test positivity of 6.5% is higher than the previous
week (4.6%); the highest test positivity this week was in the
Saskatoon area (7.5%)
394 new cases were confirmed, reflecting 24 laboratoryconfirmed cases per 100,000 population (higher than the
previous week n = 285 new cases). This week, the highest
COVID-19 case rate was in South East (45 cases per 100,000).
The majority of laboratory-confirmed cases this week
continue to be 50 years and older (54.8%).
There were 94 new lineage results reported this week. Of
the 94 variants of concern identified by whole genome
sequencing, 100% were Omicron.
The Omicron BA.2 sublineage accounted for 90.4% of the
VOCs reported this week. BA.2 sublineage is more
transmissible compared to pre-variant 2020 COVID-19 and
BA.1 sublineages, but there is no current evidence of
increased severity.
There were 17 newly reported COVID-19 deaths (two within
the week and 15 in previous weeks).
Vaccination remains the best protection against severe
outcomes of COVID-19 infection. From December 20, 2021
to May 21, 2022, unvaccinated individuals had a 3 times
higher risk of hospitalization and 6 times higher risk of ICU
admission and death compared to three-dose recipients.
Other respiratory viruses have equal or higher test positivity,
as COVID 19; enterorhinovirus (common cold) test positivity
is nearly 20%:
o Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – 3.6% test positivity
o Influenza – 6% test positivity
o Enterorhinovirus (common cold) – 17.8% test positivity
The highest rate of laboratory-confirmed other viral
respiratory illness was in Far North zones.
The rate of visitors to Emergency Departments with COVIDlike symptoms, at 20.5 patients per 1,000 visits, was the
continuation of a declining trend since the end of April.
Calls to 811 HealthLine for respiratory-like illness was 80 per
1,000 calls this week compared to 91 per 1,000 calls last
week –the lowest rate since the end of February. Calls to 811
for respiratory-like illness increased only in the North West
and North East of SK this week compared to last, all other
regions declined.
Five (5) COVID-19 outbreaks were reported this week in long
term care facilities and personal care homes, less than last
week (8 outbreaks). The majority of new outbreaks were in
the Saskatoon (n = 2; 40%).
Immunization coverage rates for primary series and booster
uptake have remained stable over the last four weeks. Of
the eligible populations five and older, 81.1% have
completed a series.
Of the population 12 and older, 49.3% have received a
booster and of those 18 and older, 52.6% have received a
booster.
