For the first time since May 20, the province is seeing a double-digit increase in the amount of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan.

The province is reporting 18 new cases on Monday to bring the provincial total to 683.  13 of those 18 are in the Far North and most are connected to a wake on June 10 and a funeral on June 11 on the Clearwater Dene First Nation.

Three of the new cases are in the Saskatoon region with the other two cases being individuals who tested positive in Saskatchewan, but live out of province.

In a release, chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab says “While our numbers had been lower over the last few days, this increase is a reminder that COVID-19 is still in Saskatchewan,” and that large public gatherings increase the risk of transmission.”

There is one more recovery being announced putting the provincial total at 629.  41 cases are considered active.

Two people remain hospitalized with one of those two in intensive care in Saskatoon.