The number of COVID and influenza cases are falling as the temperature begins to rise.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health reports 108 COVID positive lab tests in the two-week period ending last Saturday—well below the 156 over the previous two weeks. 37 patients were treated in hospital for COVID, including five who were treated in the intensive care unit. There were two COVID-related deaths reported between April 14th and 20th.
There were no deaths caused by influenza, but 46 people were admitted to hospital, including 8 in ICU.
With the number of respiratory illnesses on the decline, the health ministry will switch to monthly reports for the summer before returning to updates every two weeks over the fall and winter.
Summary
-The number of positive tests for COVID-19 decreased from 75 tests in the week ending April 6 to 47 tests in
the week ending April 20. The test positivity declined from 4.6% to 3.6% in the same period.
The test positivity for influenza continues to decrease this week (8.1%) compared to the week ending April
13 (12.6%). In the most recent week, the proportions of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases were highest
among those 20-64 years of age (47.3%). Of the influenza A viruses subtyped, the majority were H1N1
(86.6%).
-The number of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) positive tests has remained stable over the past four weeks.
RSV test positivity was 4.0% in the most recent surveillance week. In the most recent week, the proportion of
RSV cases was highest in the 65 years and older age group (42.4%) followed by the 0 – 4-year group (39.4%).
‘Other’ respiratory virus test positivity remained stable at 28.7%.
-COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, other respiratory viruses, and co-infected cases accounted for 20.3%, 25.3%, 15.4%,
36.8%, and 2.2% respectively of the viral respiratory illness hospitalizations in the province during this
reporting period. The total number of hospital admissions for respiratory viruses decreased by 22% from 233
to 182, over the previous two weeks.
COVID-19
-In the most recent week, the proportions of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were highest among those
65 and older (61.5%), followed by individuals 20-64 years of age (20.5%).
-COVID-19 outbreaks in high-risk settings remained stable at three for the previous two weeks compared to
five for the most recent two weeks.
Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program P a g e | 2
– COVID-19 hospitalizations decreased from 47 for the previous two weeks to 37 for the most recent two weeks,
reflecting a 21% decrease. COVID-19 ICU admissions increased from one for the previous two weeks to five for
the most recent two weeks.
– The proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients decreased to 1.8% this current week.
– In the last two weeks, two COVID-19-associated deaths were reported.
Influenza
– The number of positive tests for influenza have decreased from 235 in the week ending April 6, 2024, to 79 in
the current surveillance week.
– In the last two weeks, no influenza-associated deaths were reported.
– Influenza hospitalizations decreased from 75 for the previous two weeks to 46 for the most recent two weeks.
Influenza ICU admissions remained stable at seven for the previous two weeks compared to eight for the most
recent two weeks
