The seven-day average of new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan has increased to 177, the highest number since May 18th. This comes as 258 new cases were reported Friday, as well as two deaths connected to COVID-19.  

Of the new cases, 87.6 percent of them were people who had not received any doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Of those 208 cases, 41.3 percent were between the ages of 20 and 39, with another 36.5 percent those under the age of 19. 

The number of people in the hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19 was down Friday from Thursday, with 97 in the hospital.  

The new cases were in Saskatoon and further north, with Saskatoon reporting 61 cases, the Nar North East reporting 29 and the North West reporting 24. Another 18 cases were reported in the North East, 13 in the Regina region, 12 in the South East, 11 in Central West, 10 in Central East, nine in the Far North West, seven in the Far North Central and five in the South West and five in the South Central.  

In a physicians’ town hall held on Thursday, doctors heard that the cases are expected to continue to rise, and put a strain on the resources available unless action is taken. Projections the physicians saw during the town hall indicate the number of daily cases reported in Saskatchewan could reach 300 or more by September and are calling for measures to reduce community transmission rates by mandated immunization or frequent testing requirements for health care workers, teachers and other at-risk groups, as well as requiring immunization or negative tests for access to large venues. They also recommend vaccination of large non-essential social events and a possible indoor mask mandate.  

Health Minister Paul Merriman and Premier Scott Moe, along with Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, have stated there will be no measures coming, and it is up to the residents of Saskatchewan to do the right thing and get vaccinated.