The number of laboratory confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan edged slightly upward in this week’s provincial COVID report.
There were 394 new cases this week, compared to 285 new cases the previous week.
The number of people in hospital and ICU trended downward though, with 165 in hospital this week compared to 187 the previous week, and six people in ICU compared to 10 the previous week.
Test positivity province-wide was higher at 6.5 per cent compared to 4.6 per cent in the previous week. The numbers of positive tests don’t include home rapid-antigen tests.
The highest case rate in the province was in the South East, with 45 new cases per 100,000 people. There were 17 new COVID deaths reported, but only two of those were within the week while 15 were from previous weeks.
The province said 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 per cent have completed a series.
The province added that Evusheld™ is available in Saskatchewan for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents (12 years of age or older), weighing at least 40 kg, who have not had a known recent exposure to an individual affected with COVID-19 but are immunocompromised and vaccinations are not recommended.
The province’s release said that if “Evusheld™ is being considered for use, it should be on a case-by-case basis where the potential benefit is expected to outweigh any potential risk. There is very strict criteria for eligibility, and Evusheld™ is not suitable for everyone.”
Full eligibility details from the province are here.
