Delta variant, unvaccinated cases driving COVID-19 spread in Sask.

Rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations – fuelled by the Delta variant and transmission among unvaccinated residents – have led to further COVID-19 restrictions being implemented in Saskatchewan.

“New cases are overwhelmingly in unvaccinated people. Hospitalizations are also overwhelming in those that are not vaccinated,” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said during a press conference Thursday.

Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, said the spread of COVID-19 continues to be driven by the Delta variant.

“Delta is twice as transmittable, twice as severe, is causing hospitalizations in the unvaccinated like never before,” Dr. Shahab said.

Since the previous public health orders were lifted on July 11, Delta variant cases in the province have increased nearly-tenfold, rising from 349 confirmed cases, to 3,210 as of Sept. 16.