There are 116 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on May 23, bringing the provincial total to 45,605 cases. There are no new COVID cases in the Weyburn area (Southeast-3), and active cases in the area now stand at 17, with 142 active cases in the southeast as a region.
One new death is reported today in the 80+ age group from the Southeast zone.
The new cases are located in the following zones: Far North West, 7; Far North East, 1; Northwest, 7; North Central, 11; Saskatoon, 41; Central West, 2; Central East, 18; Regina, 17; Southwest, 5; South Central, 1; and Southeast, 5. One case is pending residence information. One previously reported case with pending residence has been added to the North Central zone.
Recoveries total 43,416, including 222 new recoveries as of May 23, and 1,662 cases are considered active.
There are 124 people in hospital, and 97 people are receiving inpatient care: Northwest, 8; North Central, 4; Saskatoon, 35; Central East, 4; Regina, 41; South Central, 2; and Southeast, 3. Twenty-seven people are in intensive care: North Central, 2; Saskatoon, 11; Central East, 1; and Regina, 13.
There were 2,507 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan on May 22, including 91 tests in the southeast region.
Re-opening the province is based on the rapid expansion and delivery of larger volumes of COVID-19 vaccine, with the expectation that all residents in Saskatchewan over the age of 12 will have an opportunity to receive their first dose of vaccine by the end of May 2021. It will occur in three steps, with approximately three weeks between each step.
Second dose vaccinations are underway for anyone who is 85 and older or who received their first dose before February 15. At 8 a.m. Monday, May 24 the age eligibility for second doses opens to anyone aged 80 and older or who received their first dose on or before March 1. Individuals diagnosed with or being treated for cancer and those who have received solid organ transplants will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail that will allow them priority access to a second dose.
The age of eligibility for a second dose will go down to 70 years on May 31, 65 years on June 7, 55 years on June 14 and 45 years on June 21.
