In the April 7 COVID-19 update from The Saskatchewan Health Authority, they are reporting a total of 189 new cases of the virus in the province.

Of those 189 new cases there are 4 in the Far North West zone, 9 in the North West zone, 3 in the North Central zone, 43 in the Saskatoon zone, 12 in the Central East zone, and 74 in the Regina zone.

There are currently 3 new cases in the South West zone, 15 in the South Central zone, and 23 in the South East zone.

There are 3 new cases with pending residence information.

One case with pending residence information has been assigned to the Regina zone.

Two cases where Saskatchewan residents were tested out of the province have been added to the Far North East zone.

That brings the provincial total number of COVID-19 cases to 35,171, of which 2,138 are considered active.

There are 23 active cases in the South West zone - 6 in the South West subzone 1, and 17 in the South West subzone 2.

The seven-day average of daily new cases is 226 (18.4 new cases per 100,000 population).

There are 2 new deaths reported today. One death was reported in the 30-39 age group from the North Central zone, and one death was reported in the 80+ age group from the Regina zone.

That brings the provincial total number of deaths to 445.

There were 246 recoveries reported, bringing that provincial total to 32,588.

There are 201 people in hospital. One hundred and fifty-nine people are receiving inpatient care - 2 in the Far North West zone, 1 in the Far North East zone, 9 in the North West zone, 3 in the North Central zone, 42 in the Saskatoon zone, 17 in the Central East zone, 76 in the Regina zone, 1 in the South Central zone, and 8 in the South East zone.

There are 42 people in intensive care - 4 in the North Central zone, 6 in the Saskatoon zone, 2 in the Central East zone, 27 in the Regina zone, and 3 in the South Central zone.

To date, there has been 690,450 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan.

And yesterday, there were 3,122 COVID-19 tests processed.

As of April 7 variants of concern have been identified by screening in Saskatchewan - 2 in the Far North West zone, 4 in the Far North East zone, 6 in the North West zone, 19 in the North Central zone, 178 in the Saskatoon zone, 12 in the Central West zone, 60 in the Central East zone, and 1,986 in the Regina zone.

There are 14 variants of concern cases in the South West zone, 245 in the South Central zone, and 232 in the South East zone.

There are 72 cases with area of residence pending.

There are 0 new lineage results being reported today. Of the 951 variants of concern with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in the province, 943 are B.1.1.1.7 (UK), and 8 are B.1.351 (SA).

The Regina zone accounts for 802 (or 84%) of the variants of concern cases with confirmed lineage reported in Saskatchewan.

The Chief Medical Health Officer is extending the provincial public health orders announced March 9 and the Regina and area revisions announced March 24. The orders will now remain in effect until April 26 and will be reviewed then.

Travel is not recommended in or out of the Regina area unless absolutely necessary, and residents are also asked to avoid all unnecessary travel to and from Moose Jaw and Weyburn.

An additional 6,738 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered to 234,209.

Of those 6,738 doses of vaccine, 140 were given in the South West zone.

Over 20,000 residents in their 50s have now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine appointment booking system currently includes people 58 years of age and older. Eligible people are encouraged to book their vaccinations online or by phone.