The rise in cases in rural Saskatchewan is due to the variants of concern (VOC), specifically the UK variant. 

Currently, some provincially ordered public health restrictions are exclusive to the city of Regina and surrounding areas.

A travel advisory is also in place in Regina. Travel is not recommended in or out of the Regina area unless necessary. 

Physician Executive, Dr. Kevin Wasko, says the VOC is growing in the rural southern areas of the province. 

"We don't have a rising number of VOC in every single community, but we do have rising numbers across multiple communities. It is a concern," says Wasko. 

Wasko says the vaccines work and will protect you against the VOC, but they take two to three weeks to take effect. He stresses the importance of following all public health guidelines even after getting immunized.

The Government of Saskatchewan reported 191 new cases yesterday, Mar. 31, and stated that Moose Jaw residents are urged to stay home due to the vise in VOC cases.  

"It has been a remarkable increase, particularly in Moose Jaw. There has been a very steep increase in cases and they are due to the variants of concern," says Wasko.

"It's spreading fast. We can assume that any new case is a variant," says Wasko.

Wasko highlights the severity of the variants of concern, "they are much more transmissible, they are affecting younger people, when contracted people are much more likely to require an ICU admission, and they are much more likely to die from COVID."