In the February 17 COVID-19 update from The Saskatchewan Health Authority they are reporting a total of 124 new cases of the virus in the province.

Of those 124 new cases there are 16 in the Far North West zone, 4 in the Far North Central zone, 5 in the Far North East zone, 14 in the North West zone, 12 in the North Central zone, 9 in the Saskatoon zone, 5 in the Central West zone, 3 in the Central East zone, 48 in the Regina zone, and 1 in the South Central zone.

There are 7 new cases with pending residence information.

That brings the provincial total number of COVID-19 cases to 26,953, of which 1,541 are considered active.

There are currently 2 active cases in the South West zone - 1 in the South West sub zone 1 and 1 in the South West sub zone 2.

The seven-day average of daily new cases is 160 (13.0 new cases per 100,000 population).

There have been 189 recoveries reported, bringing that provincial total to 25,050.

Five Saskatchewan residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. One death was reported in the 30-39 age group from the Saskatoon zone, one death was reported in the 50-59 age group from the Regina zone, and three deaths were reported in the 80+ age group - 1 from the North West zone, 1 from the Regina zone, and 1 from the Saskatoon zone.

That brings the provincial total number of deaths related to COVID-19 to 362.

There are 178 people in hospital. One hundred and fifty-five people are receiving inpatient care - 3 in the Far North West zone, 1 in the Far North Central zone, 2 in the Far North East zone, 15 in the North West zone, 15 in the North Central zone, 2 in the North East zone, 58 in the Saskatoon zone, 1 in the Central West zone, 9 in the Central East zone, and 42 in the Regina zone.

There is currently 1 person receiving inpatient care in the South West zone, 1 in the South Central zone, and 5 in the South East zone.

There are 23 people in intensive care - 2 in the North Central zone, 12 in the Saskatoon zone, 1 in the Central East zone, and 8 in the Regina zone.

To date, there has been 549,077 COVID-19 tests processed in Saskatchewan.

And yesterday, there were 1,800 COVID-19 tests processed.

There were 271 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered yesterday in Saskatchewan, bring the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 50,326. With this, 108% of the doses received have been administered to date. This overage is due to efficiencies in drawing extra doses from vials of vaccine received.

This week's 12,870 Pfizer doses are expected to arrive in Regina and Saskatoon on February 17 and in Yorkton, Swift Current and North Battleford on February 18.

Note that we remain in Phase One of vaccine delivery, targeting residents and staff of long term and personal care homes, identified health care providers, residents 70 years and older and residents aged 50 and older in remote/northern Saskatchewan.

Eligible populations will be contacted directly to receive their vaccinations. Registration for appointments for Phase Two sequenced populations will be available when Phase Two commences. Please do not contact HealthLine 811 to register for vaccinations at this time. Notification will be provided when the registration system is available.