Sask. records 13 more COVID-19-related deaths, hospitalizations remain high

Another 13 people with COVID-19 in Saskatchewan have died, according to the province's latest weekly pandemic report, which was released Thursday and coversFeb. 27 to March 5.

One of the people whodied was in the20 to 39agegroup and another was in the 40 to 59 category. The 11 other deaths were people85 and over.

The Reginazone had the most deaths during the Feb. 27to March 5 period with five.

Since the beginning of the pandemic,1,151 people with COVID-19 have died in the province.

Hospitalizations remained stubbornly high, with339 people in hospital with COVID-19 as of March 9, down 14 from the previous week. Of those in hospital, 24were under intensive care.

The reportsays 17long-term care homes or home care settings hadCOVID outbreaks.

So far there have been almost 130,000 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, more than a quarter of them in people under the age of 20.

the report says 80.4per cent of Saskatchewan residents five and older now have two vaccine doses. Only 525 first doses were given in the last reporting period.

Emergency order not renewed

Premier Scott Moe announced during question period Thursday that the government will not renew the emergency order that allowed the Saskatchewan Health Authority to move health-care workers where they were needed.The order had beenrenewed two weeks ago.

"It will expire on Monday," Moe said. "It was only in place for one reason and that was for us to utilize our entire health-care capacity."

Moe saidwhile that COVID-19 still presents challenges in hospitals, the order is not necessarybecause pressure has subsided.