2 more hospitalized due to COVID-19 in N.L. as active case count ticks up slightly

The total number of patients hospitalized because of COVID-19 increased to 24 on Saturday up two from the previous day.

Saturday's update from the Department of Health and Community Services counted 244 new cases since Friday 162 in the Eastern Health region, 33 in Central Health, 33 in Western Health and 16 in Labrador-Grenfell Health.

That raises the total number of known active cases to 1,649. The department didn't release the number of recoveries, but the new active caseload suggests 193 people have recovered from the virus since the last update.

Saturday's numbers come after a week that saw COVID-19 restrictions eased across the province. Capacity limits for gyms, bars, restaurants, movie theatres, performance spaces and formal gatherings all increased Monday.

Thursday saw the easing of visitor restrictions at long-term care homes across the province.

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