COVID-19 in Sask.: Province reports record-setting 52 patients in ICU

The provincial government is reporting a record-setting 52 people in intensive care due to COVID-19.

The previous record, set on Tuesday, was 51.

The breakdown of ICU patientsis as follows:

• Regina, 35.
• Saskatoon, 11.
• North Central, two.
• Central East, two.
• Southwest, two.

An additional186 people are in hospital and another person has diedin the 60-to-69 age group in the Regina zone.

The province reported245 new cases of COVID-19and 296 recoveries on Friday. The majority of the new casesare in Regina, 70, and Saskatoon, 40. Five of thenew cases have pending residence information.

There are 2,463 active cases, according to the province.

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 case number is251, which is down from 264 on April 16.

There were 4,157 more COVID-19 tests processed in the province.

An additional5,691 variants of concern (VOC) have been identified, including 3,286in Regina.There are 62 screened VOCs with residence pending.

VOCs are mutated strains of the virus that causes COVID-19 that tend to be more contagious and cause more serious illnesses.

The province reported9,801 more doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered,bringing the total numberto 382,135, with 54 per cent of Saskatchewan residents aged 40 and olderhavingreceived their first dose.

OnWednesday a person in Regina wasissued a ticket for $2,800 finefor failure to comply with a public health order.