The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced late last week that, effective February 7th, they will stop their daily COVID-19 reporting.

Effective today, they will begin reporting key COVID-19 data on a weekly basis each Thursday.

Reports on Thursdays will include the laboratory-confirmed new cases, deaths, tests and vaccination information overall and by zone.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has also announced that, effective today, all COVID-19 PCR testing will be by appointments made through HealthLine 811.

PCR testing will be reserved for priority populations at elevated risk for severe outcomes, including hospitalized patients, those admitted or transferred between acute, long-term care, personal care homes, high risk populations as ordered by the medical health officer: residents in long-term care, personal care homes and congregate living facilities; and international or travelers from areas of concern, priority symptomatic persons: health care workers or essential workers who have a negative rapid antigen test but remain symptomatic; those with chronic illness (diabetes, history of cancer, cardiac failure, etc.), symptomatic people living or working in First Nation and Metis communities, surgical patients with symptoms or a positive rapid antigen test if scheduled or expecting to receive surgery within the next 90 days, symptomatic immunocompromised individuals including all transplant donors and recipients prior to and post-transplant; all oncology patients prior to, receiving or post chemotherapy, pregnant patients who are symptomatic and more then 30 weeks gestation, and newborns born to COVID-19 positive parents, prior to discharge.

Additionally, health care workers and essential workers as defined under the current public health order with negative rapid antigen results who remain symptomatic will continue to be eligible for PCR tests to protect Saskatchewan's essential services.

Medical Health Officers may order PCR testing as part of outbreak investigations, particularly in at-risk setting like long-term care and personal care homes, and other congregate living facilities.

Residents who require PCR test results for travel, insurance claims, or in lieu of proof of vaccination will be required to purchase a test from  a private lab service provider.

While the online appointment booking system will be discontinued today, walk-in and drive thru testing sites will be discontinued over the coming week.

Rapid Antigen tests are available at approximately 600 locations around the province.

Current public health orders will remain in place at this time, but are subject to review.