With 70% of people 18 and older being vaccinated as of July 11, Saskatchewan began re-opening the Province. As anticipated, numbers of covid positive cases have slowly began to rise.
On Friday, August 27, the province reported its highest number of new daily COVID-19 cases in more than three months with 258 new cases. The last time this many new cases were reported in a single day was on May 8, with 271 cases.
As of August 30th, there were 54,076 reported cases. Saskatoon area has the highest number of total cases in the province since the pandemic started at 12,904.
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority website, about two-fifths (40.2%) of new cases are in the 20 to 39 years age category, and about 1 in 8 (13.6%) new cases were fully vaccinated.
The website states that as of August 31st, a total of 130 individuals are hospitalized; including 100 inpatient hospitalizations and 30 ICU hospitalizations. Of the 100 inpatients, 97 (74.6%) were not fully vaccinated.
Cases have been on the rise especially in the last month. From July 31 – August 30, total cases went from 50,024 to 54,076 which is an increase of 8.1%. The total number of active cases was 479 back on July 31, and 2,068 as of August 30, an increase of 331.7%. The number of reported deaths was 578 on July 31, and as of August 30 is 601, an increase of 4%. As well, hospitalizations have gone up from 46 – 111 in a month, an increase of 141.3%.
The new 7-day average of COVID-19 case numbers now stands at 248 (20.6 new cases per 100,000).
Dean Brooman, Deputy Fire Chief for the Martensville Fire Department (MFD) stated that to date they have not seen an increase in COVID-19 calls. “MFD continues to respond to all medical calls using the required precautions when dealing with patients. Those precautions are masks, gloves, eye protection, and if necessary, gowns. Patients are screened with a series of quick COVID-19 questions,” said Brooman.
Premier Scott Moe and Dr. Shahab provided an update on COVID 19 in the province on Monday, August 30, and continue to encourage all residents in the province to become fully vaccinated.
“We have highlighted the serious risk that you are taking when you choose to not be vaccinated. Dr. Shahab and the SHA have been releasing monthly data of new cases that we are experiencing in Saskatchewan, and the overwhelming majority of hospitalizations and ICU admissions are from those individuals that are unvaccinated,” Moe stated in the press release.
Moe said that nearly 800,000 people have received their first dose, and around 700,000 have went out and finished the job and received their second dose and thanked them for doing their part. He also said that far too many eligible residents, around 300,000, are not vaccinated and driving our fourth wave of COVID in our province.
He also discussed that Proof of Vaccination will be required in certain areas such as Universities, as well as Polytech, along with health care workers. If these care providers elect not to be fully vaccinated, they will be required to undertake regular COVID-19 testing.
Some venues and events may request proof of vaccination to attend their services. You can provide proof of vaccination through the one-page printable form at MySaskHealthRecord (MSHR). Visit MySaskHealthRecord to set up your account.
A digital QR (Quick Response) code to the MSHR vaccination record is in the works in early fall. This record will meet the standards set by the Government of Canada to help support proof of vaccine for international travel.
Due to the rise in cases, the City of Saskatoon is bringing back mandatory masking at civic facilities, as well as Saskatoon Transit.
Dillon Shewchuk, Community Economic Development Manager with the City of Martensville stated that, “There has been some mild discussion regarding a mask mandate; however, at this point in time, there is no strong movement to mandate it. Right now, people are free to wear masks to protect themselves and others. Our staff is certainly free to wear a mask if that’s what they want to do.”
To follow updates from the City of Martensville in the event that this information changes, visit www.martensville.ca, or follow them on social media.
PHOTO ABOVE: Soon, proof of vaccination will be required in various places throughout Saskatchewan. Printable records can be found at MySaskHealthRecord.
