The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues a steep climb, as a total of 52 over the past two days combined have been announced by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

In their Sunday update, the SHA reported 22 more cases - after a daily high of 30 on Saturday - which pushes the provincial total to 156.

Seven known cases are still linked to local transmission at this time. The rest are travel-related or cluster-related due to exposure at mass gatherings.

The mass gathering that has led to a large number of cases continues to be a Christopher Lake snowmobile rally dinner held on Saturday, March 14.

The number of cases stemming from that event is now up to 20, though just 76 people from approximately 130 that were in attendance at the dinner have been contacted so far.

On a positive note, the number of recoveries has doubled on Sunday alone, rising from four to eight.

Data from the Government of Saskatchewan website