Over the last month, 16 people have died due to COVID-19 in the province.

That is according to the province’s latest Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program report for April 23 to May 20.

Also, during that time, 165 people were hospitalized, with 21 being admitted to the intensive care unit.

With the latest numbers, there have now been 139 COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the year in Saskatchewan.

The report shows that the province is behind on its vaccinations, as just 46 per cent of people are up-to-date on their vaccines.

“Having a COVID-19 booster in the last six months reduces the risk of a COVID-19 death four times compared to unvaccinated individuals and over two times compared to those without a booster dose,” the report said.

Across the country, 51 per cent of all Canadians are up to date on the vaccines, with Saskatchewan having the fourth lowest vaccination rate in Canada, ahead of Manitoba (43%), Alberta (41%), and Nunavut (36%).

The report is the first since the provincial government announced a move from bi-weekly to monthly COVID-19 reporting.