There are nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan.

The nine, which see five come from the Far North, three from the North and one from the Central, bring the provincial total to 553.

Of that 553, 207 are considered to be active with five more recoveries occurring bringing the total number in that area to 340.

15 people are in hospital with five in intensive care. Of those five, four are in Saskatoon and one is in the North.

To help deal with an outbreak in the northern community of La Loche, the provincial government after consultation with community and Indigenous leaders have closed off all alcohol-related sales, distribution and consumption sites for two weeks effective Saturday.

This is a request that had been made by those leaders in an effort to stop the spread of the virus in a region where Saskatchewan has seen its most cases.