Almost 505,000 Saskatchewan residents have now received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot.

The information comes out in the Saturday update from the government after 13,000 more doses were delivered on Friday.

The news also comes at the same time as we hear about 269 new cases.  The new cases are located in the following zones: Far North West, 11; North West, 25; North Central, 23; North East, 3; Saskatoon, 73; Central West, 1; Central East, 22; Regina, 51; South West, 10; South Central, 14; and South East, 31.

As of May 7, 8,103 variants of concern have been identified by screening in Saskatchewan. That is an increase of 198 from Friday’s report.  The VoC’s have been  reported in the following zones: Far North West, 179; Far North East, 6; North West, 285; North Central, 205; North East, 44; Saskatoon, 980; Central West, 91; Central East, 360; Regina, 4,155; South West, 256; South Central, 591; and South East, 830.

There are 83 new lineage results reported today. Of the 3,114 VOCs with lineages identified by whole genome sequencing in Saskatchewan, 3,064 are B.1.1.1.7 (UK), 41 are P.1 (Brazilian) and nine are B.1.351 (SA).

2,293 cases are still considered active including 580 in Regina. One month ago, the active case count in Regina stood at 1,043.

There are 168 people in hospital including 42 in intensive care.

The seven-day daily average now stands at 222.

People are reminded the eligibility in the provincial age-based immunization program has expanded to include age 32+as of Saturday.  The Regina drive-thru clinic exhausted its vaccine supply late Friday afternoon. The Saskatchewan Health Authority says the closure is temporary until more doses become available next week.  In the meantime, people can still make appointments or visit one of many pharmacies to get vaccinated.   A list on those places can be found on the SHA website.