Released on August 24, 2021
The Ministry of Health and Saskatchewan Health Authority have identified an instrument error that occurred at the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory resulting in up to 255 invalid COVID-19 test results from August 18 - 22. These samples have been retested and 206 are inconsistent with the first result. In order to confirm that invalid tests are negative, a full reconciliation of the data is underway and should be completed by tomorrow. Family notification is commencing immediately for LTC residents identified as false-positive that have since tested negative and for residents living in impacted facilities.
Fifty-four residents at long-term care homes in Regina previously testing positive have been re-tested and confirmed to be negative for COVID-19. Further investigation is underway to determine if some of the current long-term care outbreaks can be declared over and family presence be resumed at these facilities.
The RRPL receives test samples from around the province. Affected individuals will be contacted to confirm their test results
Additional Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine
The Government of Saskatchewan is permitting the administration of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccinations for residents who may require them for international travel.
Residents who received a combination of AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna can receive a third dose of either mRNA vaccine brand (Pfizer or Moderna).
Individuals who received two doses of Covishield or Astra Zeneca can receive two additional matching mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer or Moderna to support international travel requirements. The same 28-day interval between doses applies.
Some countries are requiring proof of vaccination with specific vaccines. The most common is requiring two doses of the same mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna. Individuals should check on the approved vaccines for the country, venue or destination they are intending to visit.
Proof of intent to travel will not be required to receive the vaccination. Appointments can be booked at pharmacies offering vaccinations or watch for a pop-up clinic at a nearby location.
All vaccines given in Canada are approved by Health Canada and are safe and effective, and offer good protection against all known strains of the virus including the Delta variant.
For more information visit www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine.
COVID-19 Summary for August 24, 2021:
- From August 18 - 24, 14,012 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 1,462,380.
- As of August 24, 76 per cent of those 12+ have received their first dose and 67 per cent of those 12+ are fully vaccinated.
- There were 1,291 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan from August 18 - 24, bringing the provincial total to 52,800 cases. Six hundred and eighty-seven recoveries were recorded during the same period.
- The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan is currently 184 (15.3 per 100,000).
- Six new deaths were reported August 18 - 24.
- There were 17 cases confirmed as Variants of Concern between August 18 - 24.
- As of August 24, there are 100 people in hospital: 86 are receiving inpatient care and 14 are in intensive care. Sixty-nine of the people in hospital (69%) are not fully vaccinated.
- From August 18 - 24, there were 14,830 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan.
Daily provincial COVID-19 statistics by age, date and geographic zones including active cases, recoveries and confirmed variants of concern can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-cases.
Stick it to COVID - Get Your Vaccination
As an additional measure to increase the reach of vaccinations, Saskatchewan has opened immunization to children turning 12 in the current year.
This means that all individuals born in 2009 or before can now be vaccinated at any COVID-19 vaccination site, including pop-up clinics, participating pharmacies, or school-based vaccination clinics.
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