New COVID Cases, Hospitalizations And Deaths In Saskatchewan Are Overwhelmingly Unvaccinated People

Released on August 9, 2021

With the number of COVID-19 cases rising again in Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Health is reporting that those new cases and serious outcomes from those cases are overwhelmingly among unvaccinated people.

More than 90 per cent of all new cases and hospitalizations in Saskatchewan in July were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people.  Ninety-five per cent of ICU admissions were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 100 per cent of deaths were unvaccinated.

The Ministry of Health has updated the COVID-19 vaccination and breakthrough information for July 1-31, 2021. 

Highlights include:

• Of the 1,220 cases reported, 921 (75.5 per cent) were unvaccinated or tested positive within three weeks of receiving their first vaccination.  One hundred and eighty-four cases (15.1 per cent) were partially vaccinated with one dose, while just 115 cases (9.4 per cent) were fully vaccinated.
• Of the 83 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, 66 (79.5 per cent) were unvaccinated or tested positive within three weeks of receiving their first vaccination.  Ten cases (12.0 per cent) were partially vaccinated with one dose, while just seven cases (8.4 per cent) were fully vaccinated.
• Of the 20 individuals admitted to ICU, 17 (85 per cent) were unvaccinated or tested positive within three weeks of receiving their first vaccination.  Two cases (10 per cent) were partially vaccinated with one dose, while just one case (five per cent) was fully vaccinated.
• Of the four deaths reported among people who tested positive in July, all four were unvaccinated or within three weeks of receiving their first vaccination.  There were no deaths in individuals who were more than 21 days post first dose or fully vaccinated. 
• All vaccination and breakthrough data reports are available in the COVID-19 vaccination information at www.Saskatchewan.ca.

July's case numbers also indicate that about a third of Saskatchewan's cases were 19 years of age or under, and about 20 per cent were under 12 which is an age group that cannot be vaccinated at this time.  However, no one 19 years of age or under required ICU care or died due to COVID-19 during this period. 

At this point in time, there are no COVID-19 vaccines approved for children under 12.  All residents 12+ are encouraged to be fully vaccinated to afford these groups the best circle of protection possible.

Children can contract, transmit and become ill with COVID-19 though the risk for serious health outcomes is lower than older populations.  If you are fully vaccinated, all activities with children will be considered lower risk.

Transmissible diseases like COVID-19 are opportunistic: they will spread to and among under- and unvaccinated populations.  It's critical that all eligible Saskatchewan residents get vaccinated. 

Daily provincial COVID-19 statistics by age, date and geographic zones including active cases, recoveries and vaccination rates can be found on the dashboard at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-cases. 

Stick it to COVID - Get Your Vaccination

All Saskatchewan residents 12 years and older are eligible for vaccination with second doses administered following a 28-day interval.

• A map of participating pharmacies across the province is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmacies. 
• The Saskatchewan Health Authority is holding pop-up and walk-in vaccination clinics throughout the province, targeting under- and unvaccinated communities.  Details on clinic locations and times is listed on the SHA website.  Please note clinics are subject to change based on demand, weather, etc. Any changes to clinic hours and location will be updated online. 

Living With COVID-19

For guidance on Living with COVID-19, including the requirements for self-isolation if you have a positive COVID-19 test, expectations around masking, information for businesses and workplaces and the visitation requirements for acute care as well as long term care and personal care homes, go to https://www.saskatchewan.ca/living-with-covid.

General COVID-19 Information

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca