REGINA — The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health's weekly COVID-19 integrated epidemiology (epi) report was issued Thursday, June 23 for the period ending June 18, and there are a few things you should know.
Province shifting to monthly updates
The province has announced that due to a decreasing trend in COVID-19 infections, the Ministry of Health will be transitioning to monthly COVID-19 situation reports. There will be a weekly report released on June 30, and then the transition will begin.
On July 21, a three-week report will be released (reporting period of June 26 to July 16). The first monthly report will be released Aug. 18 (with a reporting period of July 17 to Aug.13).
There will no longer be news releases announcing the release of the report. The epidemiological report will continue to be released at 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays monthly and be posted on the Government of Saskatchewan website.
According to the province, the ministry and health sector partners will continue to monitor COVID-19 surveillance data and the frequency of reporting may be adjusted in the future based on observed trends.
"Saskatchewan residents should continue to do their own personal risk assessment over the summer," Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said in a news release.
"They should continue considering using a mask and improving ventilation if hosting a crowded indoor event; or better still, spend time outdoors during our great Saskatchewan summer. We will continue to ensure that people have access to information on a monthly basis, through detailed public health analysis, and more frequent reporting if concerning trends emerge. Meanwhile, please consider remaining up to date on your COVID vaccine, including any booster doses you are eligible for; which includes a booster dose for everyone 12 and older four months after their second dose. And a second booster for anyone 50 and older four months after their first booster; and even getting your first or second dose if still unvaccinated."
Case numbers go down
A total of 231 new cases were confirmed reflecting 19 laboratory-confirmed cases per 100,000 population, lower than the 392 new cases in the previous week.
Lab tests down again
A total of 5,635 laboratory tests were performed in Saskatchewan reflecting 4.7 tests performed per 1,000 population. The number of tests was lower than the number of tests in the previous week (5,880).
The weekly test positivity of 4.0 per cent is lower than the previous week (6.5 per cent); the highest test positivity this week was in the South East zone (9.1 per cent).
Hospitalizations down again
Total COVID hospitalized are 157, down eight from the previous week.
The total COVID adult ICU/ICU surge is five, down one.
Average daily admissions over past seven days are 11, which is down two.
Total COVID related illness is 46, down five.
Total incidental COVID infection is 108, up two.
Total patients under investigation is three, down five.
Death numbers updated again to include missing data
There were 12 newly-reported COVID-19 deaths: three within the week, and another nine occurred earlier (Feb 20 to June 11, 2022) but were reported this week, lower than last week (17).
