COVID-19 numbers are on the rise again and the Ministry of Health is reporting that those new cases and serious outcomes from those cases are overwhelmingly among unvaccinated people.
More than 90 per cent of all new cases and hospitalizations in Saskatchewan in July were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people.  Ninety-five per cent of ICU admissions were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 100 per cent of deaths were unvaccinated.
In July, of the 1,220 cases reported, 921 were unvaccinated or who tested positive within three weeks of receiving their first vaccination.  One hundred and eighty-four cases were partially vaccinated, while 115 cases were fully vaccinated.
July’s case numbers also indicate that about a third of Saskatchewan’s cases were 19 years of age or under, and about 20 per cent were under 12 which is an age group that cannot be vaccinated at this time.  However, no one 19 years of age or under required ICU care or died due to COVID-19 during this period.

·         Of the 83 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, 66 (79.5 per cent) were unvaccinated or tested positive within three weeks of receiving their first vaccination.  Ten cases (12.0 per cent) were partially vaccinated with one dose, while just seven cases (8.4 per cent) were fully vaccinated.
·         Of the 20 individuals admitted to ICU, 17 (85 per cent) were unvaccinated or tested positive within three weeks of receiving their first vaccination.  Two cases (10 per cent) were partially vaccinated with one dose, while just one case (five per cent) was fully vaccinated.
·         Of the four deaths reported among people who tested positive in July, all four were unvaccinated or within three weeks of receiving their first vaccination.  There were no deaths in individuals who were more than 21 days post first dose or fully vaccinated.

At this point in time, there are no COVID-19 vaccines approved for children under 12.  All residents 12+ are encouraged to be fully vaccinated to afford these groups the best circle of protection possible.
Children can contract, transmit and become ill with COVID-19 though the risk for serious health outcomes is lower than older populations.  If you are fully vaccinated, all activities with children will be considered lower risk.
All Saskatchewan residents 12 years and older are eligible for vaccination with second doses administered following a 28-day interval.