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{{short description|Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in Saskatchewan, Canada}}{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2020}}{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}

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)| confirmed_cases = 156,228| active_cases = N/A| hospitalized_cases = N/A| critical_cases = N/A| recovery_cases = N/A| deaths = 2,00020002}}| website = Government of Saskatchewan}}The COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan is part of an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).The first presumptive case of COVID-19 in the province was announced on March 12, 2020, and within a week the government declared a state of emergency and instituted broad public health measures to combat the spread of the virus, including the closure of businesses and public facilities. The province’s first death from COVID-19 was recorded on March 30 2020. Through 2022, when the province began to continually decrease its regular public reporting on the pandemic, Saskatchewan ranked as one of the hardest hit provinces in Canada in terms of per capita case counts and deaths from COVID-19. Moreover, the province’s health care system has been severely strained by the pandemic, resulting at one point in 2021 in the province transferring more than two dozen intensive-care unit (ICU) patients to Ontario for treatment.WEB, 2021-10-22, COVID-19 ICU admissions force Sask. into health care ‘red zone’,regina.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-icu-admissions-force-sask-into-health-care-red-zone-1.5634706, live,web.archive.org/web/20211022194108/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-icu-admissions-force-sask-into-health-care-red-zone-1.5634706, October 22, 2021, 2021-10-25, CTV News Regina, en, After the institution of public health measures in March 2020, the Saskatchewan Party government led by Premier Scott Moe prioritized lifting and avoiding such measures, opting to keep businesses and schools open, particularly once vaccines became widely available. Saskatchewan was the first province to lift all pandemic-related public health measures in July 2021 and again in February 2022.NEWS, Skjerven, Kelly, 2021-07-12, Saskatchewan lifts all remaining COVID-19 public health restrictions, Global News,globalnews.ca/news/8018372/sask-covid-19-restrictions-lift/, dead, 2023-09-17,web.archive.org/web/20210715094820/https://globalnews.ca/news/8018372/sask-covid-19-restrictions-lift/, 2021-07-15, NEWS, Kliem, Theresa, 2022-02-27, Mask mandate ends in Saskatchewan Monday, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/public-health-orders-saskatchewan-february-28-1.6366407, dead, 2023-09-17,web.archive.org/web/20220301015407/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/public-health-orders-saskatchewan-february-28-1.6366407, 2022-03-01, The latter change was made amidst a convoy protest occupying Ottawa partly organized by a truck driver from Saskatchewan.NEWS, Frizzell, Sara, Yogaretnam, Shaamini, 2022-02-17, Convoy protest organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber, Pat King arrested in Ottawa, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tamara-lich-chris-barber-arrested-ottawa-1.6355960, dead, 2023-09-18,web.archive.org/web/20220716042819/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tamara-lich-chris-barber-arrested-ottawa-1.6355960, 2022-07-16, As of July, 2023, 2,000 people in Saskatchewan have died from COVID-19.NEWS, Frew, Nicholas, 2023-07-25, Sask. reaches grim milestone of 2,000 total COVID-19 deaths, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-covid-19-deaths-crisp-report-1.6916537, live, 2023-09-18,web.archive.org/web/20230725120656/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-covid-19-deaths-crisp-report-1.6916537, 2023-07-25,

Overview

Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Officer, Saqib Shahab, announced the first presumptive case of COVID-19 in the province on March 12 2020, a person in their 60s that had recently returned from Egypt.NEWS, March 17, 2020, Sask. dentists asked to consider limiting work to emergencies only, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/dentists-asked-emergency-work-only-1.5501058, live, March 18, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200319123046/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/dentists-asked-emergency-work-only-1.5501058, March 19, 2020, A provincial state of emergency was declared on March 18, and the province began to institute mandatory closures of non-essential facilities and businesses over the following days.WEB, March 18, 2020, COVID-19: Sask. declares state of emergency, additional measures, after announcing 8 new cases,regina.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-sask-declares-state-of-emergency-additional-measures-after-announcing-8-new-cases-1.4858436, live,web.archive.org/web/20200319004333/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-sask-declares-state-of-emergency-additional-measures-after-announcing-8-new-cases-1.4858436, March 19, 2020, March 19, 2020, CTV News Regina, Saskatchewan reported its first deaths from COVID-19 on March 30.NEWS, Quenneville, Guy, Hunter, Adam, March 30, 2020, COVID-19 in Sask: Province marks ‘sad milestone’ of first 2 deaths, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/coronavirus-saskatchewan-1.5514563, live, March 31, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200407021441/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/coronavirus-saskatchewan-1.5514563, April 7, 2020, In the first half of April, the number of new cases began to drop as the province’s quick response appeared to be effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.WEB, April 11, 2020, Sask. now has more COVID-19 recoveries than active cases,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-now-has-more-covid-19-recoveries-than-active-cases-1.4892399, live,web.archive.org/web/20200415041229/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-now-has-more-covid-19-recoveries-than-active-cases-1.4892399, April 15, 2020, April 12, 2020, CTV News Regina, WEB, April 14, 2020, 1 new COVID-19 case in Sask., 9 new recoveries,regina.ctvnews.ca/1-new-covid-19-case-in-sask-9-new-recoveries-1.4895306, live,web.archive.org/web/20200415065803/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/1-new-covid-19-case-in-sask-9-new-recoveries-1.4895306, April 15, 2020, April 14, 2020, CTV News Regina, On April 23, Premier Scott Moe reported that Saskatchewan’s caseload was 70% below the national average, and hospitalizations and deaths were 90% below average, and he announced a five-stage re-opening plan with the goal of resuming most businesses and activities by July 2020.WEB, Saskatchewan to ‘cautiously’ reopen from the coronavirus pandemic in 5 phases,globalnews.ca/news/6855670/saskatchewan-reopen-coronavirus-scott-moe/, 2020-04-23, Global News, en, The province’s first major outbreak began in late April, centered upon the small northwestern community of La Loche. It was traced to an outbreak at the Kearl Oil Sands Project in northern Alberta, with wider community spread attributed to overcrowded living conditions in local First Nations communities.WEB, Why Saskatchewan’s northwest became a COVID-19 hot spot,thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/why-saskatchewans-northwest-became-a-covid-19-hot-spot, 2020-07-14, The Star Phoenix, en-CA, In June and July, a new outbreak emerged in the western and central regions of the province centered around communal Hutterite colonies. The province hit a new peak of 332 active cases during the spike, which subsided by late August.WEB, Smith, Marc, August 28, 2020, Sask. has lowest active COVID-19 cases per capita in western Canada,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-has-lowest-active-covid-19-cases-per-capita-in-western-canada-1.5083965, August 29, 2020, CTV News Regina, By early October, the province was clearly in the midst of a second wave of cases, particularly in urban communities, with a gospel outreach in Prince Albert being reported as a superspreader event, and increasing community spread in Saskatoon—particularly via nightclubs.WEB, Lozinski, Peter, 2020-10-09, Mayor, northern chief calling for charges against organizers of ‘superspreader’ event,paherald.sk.ca/2020/10/08/mayor-northern-chief-calling-for-charges-against-organizers-of-superspreader-event/, 2020-11-03, Prince Albert Daily Herald, en-GB, January 18, 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220118215320/https://paherald.sk.ca/2020/10/08/mayor-northern-chief-calling-for-charges-against-organizers-of-superspreader-event/, dead, WEB, Coronavirus outbreaks at Saskatoon nightclubs force government to restrict alcohol consumption,globalnews.ca/news/7428180/alcohol-saskatoon-nightclubs-coronavirus-covid-19-saskatchewan/, 2020-10-28, Global News, en-US, New restrictions on gatherings were introduced in mid-November, including a prohibition on all group sports activities.WEB, Province unveils new restrictions for sports, restaurants, gaming venues, more,www.cjme.com/2020/11/25/692638/, 2020-11-25, 980 CJME, en, By early December, the province reached over 4,000 active cases,WEB, 2020-11-17, 240 new COVID-19 cases in Sask.; active cases surpass 2,000,regina.ctvnews.ca/240-new-covid-19-cases-in-sask-active-cases-surpass-2-000-1.5192181, 2020-11-17, CTV News Regina, en, and there were increases in deaths tied to long-term care facilities.WEB, 2020-12-29, Sask. reports 10 COVID-19 deaths, 208 new cases over past 2 days,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-reports-10-covid-19-deaths-208-new-cases-over-past-2-days-1.5247282, 2020-12-30, CTV News Regina, en, WEB, Tank, Phil, 2020-12-29, Sask. reports 10 more COVID-19 deaths, bringing total to 151,thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/sask-reports-10-more-covid-19-deaths-bringing-total-to-151, 2020-12-30, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, en-CA, That month, Saskatchewan began rolling out a vaccination program targeting its most vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). However, deaths from COVID-19 roughly doubled during January 2021, and by that month Saskatchewan led the country in per-capita cases.WEB, 2021-02-01, COVID-19 in Sask: A look back on the deadliest month of the pandemic,regina.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-in-sask-a-look-back-on-the-deadliest-month-of-the-pandemic-1.5291687, live,web.archive.org/web/20210202030119/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-in-sask-a-look-back-on-the-deadliest-month-of-the-pandemic-1.5291687, February 2, 2021, 2021-02-02, CTV News Regina, en, NEWS, Lang, Brady, 2021-01-13, Examining Saskatchewan’s COVID condition as it becomes hardest hit per capita in Canada, 980 CJME,www.cjme.com/2021/01/13/examining-saskatchewans-covid-condition-as-it-becomes-hardest-hit-per-capita-in-canada/, dead, 2023-09-17,web.archive.org/web/20210114052902/https://www.cjme.com/2021/01/13/examining-saskatchewans-covid-condition-as-it-becomes-hardest-hit-per-capita-in-canada/, 2021-01-14, Despite numbers declining elsewhere in the province, a third wave attributed to the Alpha variant began to emerge in mid-March 2021 in Regina, Moose Jaw, and southeast Saskatchewan.WEB, 2021-03-12, 70-80% of recently screened COVID-19 cases in Regina likely Variants of Concern: SHA,regina.ctvnews.ca/70-80-of-recently-screened-covid-19-cases-in-regina-likely-variants-of-concern-sha-1.5345200, live,web.archive.org/web/20210312234743/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/70-80-of-recently-screened-covid-19-cases-in-regina-likely-variants-of-concern-sha-1.5345200, March 12, 2021, 2021-03-13, CTV News Regina, en, WEB, 2021-03-08, Sask. reports 3 more confirmed cases of B.1.1.7 variant, 97 new COVID-19 cases,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-reports-3-more-confirmed-cases-of-b-1-1-7-variant-97-new-covid-19-cases-1.5338041, live,web.archive.org/web/20210308224955/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-reports-3-more-confirmed-cases-of-b-1-1-7-variant-97-new-covid-19-cases-1.5338041, March 8, 2021, 2021-03-09, CTV News Regina, en, On March 23, the province ordered the closure of indoor arts, entertainment, restaurant, and event facilities in the Regina area to slow the spread of variants of concern. The province also reinstated a prohibition of private gatherings that had recently been lifted to allow household bubbles, while schools in the region voluntarily suspended in-person classes through at least April 26.NEWS, 2021-03-23, Regina restaurants to close Sunday, private gatherings banned under new public health orders, en-US, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-public-health-orders-1.5961062, 2021-03-24, By late May, the third wave had begun to subside due to the progress of a second, public phase of vaccination, resulting in the province beginning to lift restrictions on a timeline based on vaccine metrics. On June 1, the province saw its smallest single-day increase in cases (86) since late-February.WEB, COVID-19: Saskatchewan reports 3rd lowest daily infections of 2021,globalnews.ca/news/7911771/saskatchewan-covid-19-update-june-1-2021/, 2021-06-02, Global News, en-US, On July 11, 2021, the province lifted almost all remaining Public Health Orders and declared the state of emergency over, the first province to do so.WEB, 2021-07-11, Sask. lifts all COVID-19 restrictions. Here’s what you need to know,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-lifts-all-covid-19-restrictions-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-1.5504968, live, 2021-07-12, CTV News Regina, en,web.archive.org/web/20210711163225/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-lifts-all-covid-19-restrictions-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-1.5504968, July 11, 2021, WEB, ‘We’re just at wit’s end’: Buffalo River chief calls on Moe to stop outbreak,leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/were-just-at-wits-end-buffalo-river-chief-calls-on-moe-to-stop-outbreak, 2021-07-24, leaderpost, en-CA, The province reported that the “overwhelming” majority of new infections in July were among patients not fully vaccinated for COVID-19, a situation exacerbated by Saskatchewan’s vaccination numbers trailing in comparison to other provinces.WEB, Saskatchewan’s July COVID-19 cases ‘overwhelmingly’ unvaccinated people,thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/saskatchewans-july-covid-19-cases-almost-all-unvaccinated-people, 2021-08-13, thestarphoenix, en-CA, By August 2021, evidence of a fourth wave driven by patients not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 began to emerge in the province, with increasing rates of cases in the north and in Saskatoon, and the province reported its largest increase in new cases since May on August 12.WEB, 2021-07-30, Active COVID-19 cases in Sask. nearly double in last 10 days,regina.ctvnews.ca/active-covid-19-cases-in-sask-nearly-double-in-last-10-days-1.5529801, live, 2021-07-31, CTV News Regina, en,web.archive.org/web/20210730203036/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/active-covid-19-cases-in-sask-nearly-double-in-last-10-days-1.5529801, July 30, 2021, WEB, 2021-08-12, Active COVID-19 cases, deaths from illness rising a month after Sask. lifts restrictions,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/month-after-sask-restrictions-lifted-1.6138753, live, 2021-08-13, CBC News,web.archive.org/web/20210813104527/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/month-after-sask-restrictions-lifted-1.6138753, August 13, 2021, WEB, Saskatoon has entered 4th wave of COVID-19 pandemic: MHO,globalnews.ca/news/8108875/saskatoon-4th-wave-covid-19-pandemic/, live, 2021-08-13, Global News, en-US,web.archive.org/web/20210813010141/https://globalnews.ca/news/8108875/saskatoon-4th-wave-covid-19-pandemic/, August 13, 2021, By August 22, hospitalizations had reached their highest number since June.WEB, Saskatchewan hits highest COVID-19 hospitalizations since mid-June {{!, Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8132446/covid-19-saskatchewan-coronavirus-update-august-22/|access-date=2021-08-24|website=Global News|language=en-US}} On September 13, Saskatchewan reported a new peak daily increase of 449 cases, while surpassing 200 hospitalizations for the first time since April.WEB, 2021-09-13, Sask. sets record for new daily COVID-19 cases; hospitalizations surpass 200,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-sets-record-for-new-daily-covid-19-cases-hospitalizations-surpass-200-1.5583770, 2021-09-13, Regina, en, Premier Moe declined to reinstate Public Health Orders such as mandatory masks, or to require proof of vaccination in order to attend certain locations or events, stating that Public Health Orders were redundant to vaccine availability, and that he wanted to support businesses in voluntarily requesting proof of vaccination.WEB, 2021-09-10, Sask. reinstates mandatory self-isolation, health care service reductions as COVID-19 cases rise,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-reinstates-mandatory-self-isolation-health-care-service-reductions-as-covid-19-cases-rise-1.5580490, live, 2021-09-11, CTV News Regina, en,web.archive.org/web/20210910173454/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-reinstates-mandatory-self-isolation-health-care-service-reductions-as-covid-19-cases-rise-1.5580490, September 10, 2021, WEB, 2021-09-10, Sask. reports highest count of new COVID-19 cases this year,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-reports-highest-count-of-new-covid-19-cases-this-year-1.5580798, live, 2021-09-11, CTV News Regina, en,web.archive.org/web/20210910204723/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-reports-highest-count-of-new-covid-19-cases-this-year-1.5580798, September 10, 2021, WEB, 2021-08-30, Sask. to offer vaccine passport, booster shots for eligible populations,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-to-offer-vaccine-passport-booster-shots-for-eligible-populations-1.5566755, live, 2021-09-02, CTV News Regina, en,web.archive.org/web/20210830202406/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-to-offer-vaccine-passport-booster-shots-for-eligible-populations-1.5566755, August 30, 2021, WEB, 2021-08-30, Sask. doctors ask gov’t for vaccine passports and other 4th wave measures, Moe nixes ‘heavy-handed’ approach,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/cory-neudorf-saskatchewan-health-authority-medical-health-officers-letter-covid-19-fourth-wave-1.6158503, live, 2021-09-02, CBC News,web.archive.org/web/20210830200745/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/cory-neudorf-saskatchewan-health-authority-medical-health-officers-letter-covid-19-fourth-wave-1.6158503, August 30, 2021, This was despite pleas from health care professionals and municipal leaders for greater public health measures.NEWS, Quenneville, Guy, 2021-08-31, Sask. doctor who led push for 4th wave measures frustrated after province ‘rebuffed’ science, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/cory-neudorf-saskatchewan-covid-19-fourth-wave-scott-moe-1.6159727, dead, 2023-09-17,web.archive.org/web/20210902152039/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatchewan-medical-association-president-says-province-wide-covid-19-vaccine-passport-plan-would-save-lives-1.6160352, 2021-09-02, NEWS, Warick, Jason, 2021-09-01, Saskatchewan Medical Association president says province-wide COVID-19 vaccine passport plan would save lives, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatchewan-medical-association-president-says-province-wide-covid-19-vaccine-passport-plan-would-save-lives-1.6160352, dead, 2023-09-17,web.archive.org/web/20210905015849/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatchewan-medical-association-president-says-province-wide-covid-19-vaccine-passport-plan-would-save-lives-1.6160352, 2021-09-05, NEWS, Biber, Francois, 2021-09-08, ‘The war isn’t won yet’: Voices grow louder in push for Sask. to take action against raging Delta variant, CTV News,saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/the-war-isn-t-won-yet-voices-grow-louder-in-push-for-sask-to-take-action-against-raging-delta-variant-1.5577204, dead, 2023-09-17,web.archive.org/web/20210909010814/https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/the-war-isn-t-won-yet-voices-grow-louder-in-push-for-sask-to-take-action-against-raging-delta-variant-1.5577204, 2021-09-09, Moreover, this was despite recommendations from Chief Medical Officer Shahab to institute new measures.NEWS, Quon, Alexander, Anton, Jessie, 2021-10-26, Dr. Shahab says pleas from health officers in line with his own recommendations to government, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/dr-shahab-says-pleas-from-health-officers-in-line-with-his-own-recommendations-to-government-1.6225248, live, 2023-09-18,web.archive.org/web/20211031072011/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/dr-shahab-says-pleas-from-health-officers-in-line-with-his-own-recommendations-to-government-1.6225248, 2021-10-31, On September 16, stating that the fourth wave was being “driven almost entirely” by patients not fully vaccinated for COVID-19, Premier Moe backtracked on his earlier statements and announced an “interim” mask mandate for indoor public spaces, and that proof of vaccination would become mandatory for certain non-essential venues.Saskatchewan experienced record hospitalizations and ICU usage during the fourth wave, leading the country in ICU patients per-capita and having to resort to sending patients out-of-province to relieve ICU capacity.WEB, Saskatchewan sets another COVID-19 hospitalization record,globalnews.ca/news/8245240/saskatchewan-covid-19-hospital-update-october-5/, live,web.archive.org/web/20211005201932/https://globalnews.ca/news/8245240/saskatchewan-covid-19-hospital-update-october-5/, October 5, 2021, 2021-10-07, Global News, en-US, By December 2021, Saskatchewan’s daily case numbers and hospitalizations had seen a decline to levels not seen since the summer.WEB, COVID-19: Saskatchewan’s key metrics dip to levels last seen in August,thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/covid-19-saskatchewans-key-metrics-dip-to-levels-last-seen-in-august, 2021-12-02, thestarphoenix, en-CA, However, with the arrival of Omicron variant in the province, cases began to once again escalate by the end of the month.WEB, 2021-12-28, Sask. adds 896 COVID-19 cases over holiday weekend; 676 more Omicron cases,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-adds-896-covid-19-cases-over-holiday-weekend-676-more-omicron-cases-1.5721403, live, 2021-12-30, CTV News Regina, en,web.archive.org/web/20211228203525/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-adds-896-covid-19-cases-over-holiday-weekend-676-more-omicron-cases-1.5721403, December 28, 2021, WEB, COVID-19: Hundreds of Omicron cases reported in Sask. over holidays,leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/covid-19-hundreds-of-omicron-cases-reported-in-sask-over-holidays, live, 2021-12-30, Regina Leader-Post, en-CA,web.archive.org/web/20211228211409/https://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/covid-19-hundreds-of-omicron-cases-reported-in-sask-over-holidays, December 28, 2021, Saskatchewan was the only province to not introduce any new restrictions on gatherings in response to the Omicron variant. In January 2022, daily cases began to regularly exceed over 1,000 per-day, peaking at 1,648 on January 23.WEB, Vescera, Zak, 2022-01-07, COVID-19: Saskatchewan reports more than 1,000 cases for first time,thestarphoenix.com/news/saskatchewan/covid-19-saskatchewan-reports-more-than-1000-cases-for-first-time, 2022-01-09, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, en-CA, WEB, 2022-01-12, 1,084 new COVID-19 cases reported in Sask.,regina.ctvnews.ca/1-084-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-sask-1.5737398, 2022-01-13, Regina, en, By January 24, 2022, hospitalizations reached their highest numbers since October 2021.WEB, 2022-01-24, Officials consider patient transfers to rural areas as Sask. COVID-19 hospitalizations reach highest count since October,regina.ctvnews.ca/officials-consider-patient-transfers-to-rural-areas-as-sask-covid-19-hospitalizations-reach-highest-count-since-october-1.5752816, 2022-01-27, CTV News Regina, en, Despite the latest wave, the provincial government continued to resist implementing any new Public Health Orders beyond those already in place, arguing that they were not necessary.WEB, Moe: No additional public health orders necessary,www.cjme.com/2022/01/12/moe-no-additional-public-health-orders-necessary/, live,web.archive.org/web/20220112162108/https://www.cjme.com/2022/01/12/moe-no-additional-public-health-orders-necessary/, January 12, 2022, 2022-01-12, 980 CJME, en, WEB, 2022-01-12, Sask. extends public health order to Feb. 28,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-extends-public-health-order-to-feb-28-1.5736874, live,web.archive.org/web/20220112180414/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-extends-public-health-order-to-feb-28-1.5736874, January 12, 2022, 2022-01-12, CTV News Regina, en, WEB, 2022-01-07, ‘Hunker down’: Sask. top doc warns against non-essential contact amid Omicron COVID-19 surge,saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/hunker-down-sask-top-doc-warns-against-non-essential-contact-amid-omicron-covid-19-surge-1.5731715, live,web.archive.org/web/20220107192515/https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/hunker-down-sask-top-doc-warns-against-non-essential-contact-amid-omicron-covid-19-surge-1.5731715, January 7, 2022, 2022-01-09, CTV News Saskatoon, en, In late January, amid a protest against vaccine mandates for cross-border land travel, promoted primarily by individuals associated with far-right groups,NEWS, Gilmore, Rachel, January 29, 2022, Some trucker convoy organizers have history of white nationalism, racism, Global News,globalnews.ca/news/8543281/covid-trucker-convoy-organizers-hate/, February 2, 2022, updated January 30. Moe spoke in support of the convoy and pledged to drop proof of vaccination requirements.WEB, January 29, 2022, Sask. premier pledges to end proof of vaccination policies in letter to truckers,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-premier-pledges-to-end-proof-of-vaccination-policies-in-letter-to-truckers-1.5759892, January 29, 2022, CTV News Regina, en, WEB, Truckers rally in Regina, Moe promises end to Sask. vaccine mandate,thestarphoenix.com/news/saskatchewan/scott-moe-supports-truckers-promises-end-to-proof-of-vaccination-in-province, January 30, 2022, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, en-CA, The province concurrently began to implement a policy of living with COVID-19 as an endemic respiratory illness, including recommending rapid antigen tests—which have not been counted in the provincial statistics by the SHA—over PCR tests.WEB, 2022-01-23, COVID-19 in Sask.: Hospitalizations continue to climb,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/covid-19-saskatchewan-january-23-1.6324737, 2022-01-27, CBC News, On February 7, 2022, the province ceased all SHA-provided PCR testing outside of “priority populations”, and the daily publication of COVID-19-related statistics, switching to weekly summaries. This included ending updates to the public COVID-19 dashboard, which had provided publicly-available information to residents since the earliest days of the pandemic.WEB, Charlton, Jonathan, 2022-02-07, Sask. COVID-19 dashboard goes dark in transition to ‘Living with COVID’,saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/sask-covid-19-dashboard-goes-dark-in-transition-to-living-with-covid-1.5770936, dead,web.archive.org/web/20220209052451/https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/sask-covid-19-dashboard-goes-dark-in-transition-to-living-with-covid-1.5770936, 2022-02-09, 2022-02-09, CTV News, en, The next day, Moe announced that proof of vaccination would end on February 14, and that the mask mandate and all remaining measures would be lifted by the end of February. By April 2023, the 403 reported hospitalizations in the province, including 25 ICU patients, neared their peak from February, and exceeded by approximately four times the per capita hospitalizations reported in other provinces including British Columbia and Ontario.NEWS, Ghania, Yasmine, 2022-04-15, High COVID transmission levels in Sask. could continue for months: epidemiologist, CBC News,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/covid-transmission-continue-epidemiologist-1.6421339, dead, 2023-09-17,web.archive.org/web/20220501230641/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/covid-transmission-continue-epidemiologist-1.6421339, 2022-05-01, On June 23, 2022, the SHA discontinued weekly reports, announcing that it would release epidemiological reports on a monthly basis from then on.WEB, 2022-06-23, Sask. shifting to monthly COVID-19 reporting,regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-shifting-to-monthly-covid-19-reporting-1.5960572, 2022-08-08, Regina, en,

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