In the May 17 COVID-19 update from The Saskatchewan Health Authority they are reporting a total of 178 new cases of the virus in the province.

Of those 178 new cases there are 7 in the Far North West zone, 16 in the North West zone, 5 in the North Central zone, 1 in the North East zone, 55 in the Saskatoon zone, 1 in the Central West zone, 21 in the Central East zone, 42 in the Regina zone, 10 in the South Central zone, and 9 in the South East zone.

There are 8 new cases reported in the South West zone - 5 in the South West subzone 1, and 3 in the South West subzone 2.

There are 3 new cases with residence pending information.

Four cases with residence pending information have been assigned as follows - 1 to the Far North West zone, 2 to the North West zone, and 1 to the South Central zone.

That brings the provincial total number of cases to 44,709, of which 1,965 are considered active.

There are 81 active cases in the South West zone - 51 in the South West subzone 1, and 30 in the South West subzone 2.

The seven-day average of daily new cases is 195 (15.9 new cases per 100,000 population).

There are 2 new deaths reported today. One death was in the 80+ age  group from the South Central zone, and one was in the 50-59 age group from the South East zone.

That brings the provincial total number of deaths to 519.

There were 293 recoveries reported, bringing that provincial total to 42,225.

There are 142 people in the hospital. One hundred and fifteen of those people are receiving inpatient care - 5 in the North West zone, 3 in the North Central zone, 49 in the Saskatoon zone, 4 in the Central East zone, 46 in the Regina zone, 2 in the South Central zone, and 4 in the South East zone.

There are 2 people receiving inpatient care in the South West zone.

There are 27 people in intensive care - 1 in the North West zone, 1 in the North Central zone, 9 in the Saskatoon zone, 1 in the Central East zone, and 15 in the Regina zone.

To date, there have been 825,133 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan.

And yesterday there were 2,568 COVID-19 tests processed.

As of May 16 there were a total of 9,343 variants of concern cases identified by screening in the province - 209 in the Far North West zone, 15 in the Far North East zone, 404 in the North West zone, 283 in the North Central zone, 55 in the North East zone, 1,301 in the Saskatoon zone, 101 in the Central West zone, 457 in the Central East zone, 4,392 in the Regina zone, 678 in the South Central zone, and 974 in the South East zone.

In total there are 320 variants of concern cases in the South West zone.

There are 154 screened variants of concern cases with residence pending.

There are no new lineage results reported.

Of the 4,443 variants of concern cases with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in the province, 4,341 are B.1.1.1.7(UK), 87 are P.1 (Brazilian), 10 are B.1.351 (SA), and 5 are B.1.617 (Indian).

Effective today, all Regina restaurants and licensed establishments will be able to resume in-person dining according to the guidance currently applicable province-wide.

Effective May 18 at 8 a.m. eligibility in the provincial age-based immunization program will expand to 16 years of age and older for the entire province, including the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.

This applies to all immunization clinics: booked appointments, drive-thru/walk-ins, pharmacies and mobile clinics.

Beginning today, anyone who is 85 years of age and older, or anyone who received their first vaccine dose before February 15, is eligible to book their second doses.

Individuals diagnosed with, or being treated for, cancer, and those who have received solid organ transplants will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail that will allow them priority access to a second dose.

For all other residents, eligibility to book for second doses will be announced according to the age-based and priority sequencing of first doses.

At this time online booking is not yet available for second doses. It is anticipated to be available in the coming days.

An additional 12,173 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered to 603,125.

Of those 12,173 vaccine doses given, there were 308 administered in the South West zone.

Seventy-four percent of those over the age of 40, 67% of those 30 and older, and 59% of those 18 and older have received their first vaccine dose.

Saskatchewan expects to receive 63,180 Pfizer doses this week. These doses will be distributed to Regina, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Indigenous Services Canada South, ISC North, ISC North Battleford, Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority Prince Albert, and pharmacies throughout  the province.