In the February 16 COVID-19 update from The Saskatchewan Health Authority they are reporting a total of 136 new cases of the virus in the province.

Limited data was reported on February 15 due to the statutory holiday. The following information provides a detailed breakdown of the 136 new cases reported February 16 and the 143 cases reported on February 15.

The new cases reported on February 15 and 16 are 22 in the Far North West zone, 5 in the Far North Central zone, 10 in the  Far North East zone, 44 in the North West zone, 22 in the North Central zone, 17 in the  North East zone, 69 in the Saskatoon zone, 9 in the Central West zone, 9 in the Central East zone, 62 in the Regina zone, 4 in the South Central zone, and 2 in the South East zone.

There are 4 new cases with pending residence information.

Six cases with pending residence information were assigned as follows - 1 to the Far North West zone, and 5 to the North West zone.

That brings the total provincial number of COVID-19 cases to 26,829.

The seven-day average of daily new cases is 167 (13.6 new cases per 100,000 population).

There are 2 active cases in the South West zone. One case is in the South West sub zone 1 and the other is in the South West sub zone 2.

On February 15 there were 265 recoveries reported, and February 16 there were  264 recoveries.

That brings the provincial total number of recoveries to 24,861.

Three Saskatchewan residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. One death was reported in the 40-49 age group from the Far North West zone, one death was reported in the 80+ age group from the Far North West zone, and one death was reported in the 50-59 age group from the North West zone.

That brings the provincial total number of deaths related to COVID-19 to 357.

There are 184 people in hospital. One hundred and sixty-four people are receiving inpatient care - 4 in the Far North West zone, 1 in the Far North Central zone, 2 in the Far North East zone, 17 in the North West zone, 20 in the North Central zone, 1 in the North East zone, 60 in the Saskatoon zone, 1 in the Central West zone, 11 in the Central East zone, and 41 in the Regina zone.

There is currently 1 person receiving inpatient care in the South West zone, 1 in the South Central zone, and 4 in the South East zone.

There are 20 people in intensive care - 1 in the North Central zone, 10 in the Saskatoon zone, 1 in the Central East zone, and 8 in the Regina zone.

To date, 547,277 COVID-19 tests have been processed in Saskatchewan.

There were 2,254 COVID-19 tests processed on February 14, and 1,437 on February 15.

There were 22 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered  yesterday in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 49,841. With this, 107% of the doses received have been administered to date. This overage is due to efficiencies in drawing extra doses from vials of vaccine received.

Public Health measures have been extended until March 19 in the province.

Following a review of the vaccine delivery plan, the Ministry of Health has added additional health care workers to the priority sequencing previously established for Phase 1 of the  vaccine delivery plan.

Additional health care workers included in priority sequencing for Phase 1 include: Individuals directly involved in delivering COVID-19 immunization in Phase 2 including physicians, pharmacists and other SHA health care providers involved in delivering COVID-19 immunizations; Anesthesia/operating rooms; All other critical care areas; Hemodialysis; Vaccination teams; Radiology technicians; ECG/echo; Phlebotomy/lab workers handing COVID-19 specimens; and Home care (direct care providers).

The amended priority sequencing will add an estimated 11,500 people to the Phase 1 priority population sequencing.

Phase 1 prioritization of individuals and health care workers initially sequenced continues. Health care workers previously announced in the Phase 1 priority sequencing include: health care workers in emergency departments, intensive care units, COVID-19 wards and COVID testing and assessment staff. Other individuals initially included in Phase 1 sequencing include; Long Term care and personal care home residents and staff, residents 70 and older in all communities and residents over the age of 50 living in remote or northern Saskatchewan.

Phase 2 of the vaccine delivery plans remains unchanged and will continues as previously announced. Phase 2 will focus on the general population in 10 year increments, starting with ages 60 to 69. Phase 2 will continue to provide targeted access for adults and staff in group homes for persons with intellectual disabilities and shelters, and adults identified as clinically extremely vulnerable.