COVID-19 in Sask.: 601 new cases and a record number of ICU patients

There weresomegrim numbers on Saskathewan's COVID-19 dashboard Thursday.

The disease has claimed the lives of 10 more people, bringing the province's COVID-19 death toll since the pandemic began to 695.

There wasalso a new record in dailycases:601. That's a jump of 201 from Wednesday's number and almost three times what it was a month ago.

Hospitalization numberswentup as well, from 295 to 307.

That number includes a new recordfor people with COVID-19 in intensive care: 72.

Another 4,792 COVID-19vaccines were administered Wednesday. Following thetrend of the past two weeks, more people are now getting their first shot than their second.

Hospital, casenumbers rosethroughout September

September wasa challenging month for Saskatchewan.

On many days, records were broken in different categories, particularly during the second half of the month.

Between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, the government announced 88 COVID-19-related deaths.

The seven-day average of daily new cases climbed from 271 at the start of the month to 488 on Thursday, according to the province's online dashboard.

The number of active cases on Sept. 1 was2,372. That number hit anew record of 4,864 on Sept. 26.

The previous record foractive cases in Saskatchewan was 4,763 on Dec. 7, 2020.

On Thursday, the province reported 4,669 active cases.

Saskatchewan's hospitals have been particularly affected by the rise in COVID-19cases in September.

Most elective procedures and surgeries have been delayed or cancelled as COVID-19 patients fill the province's hospitals.

This month, Saskatchewan also paused its organ donation program as a result of the strain the rising number ofCOVID-19 cases hasput on hospitals.

The 307 people in Saskatchewan hospitals with COVID-19 on Thursday was more than twice thenumber on Sept. 1, when therewere 134 hospitalized with the illness.

The number of COVID-19 patients in ICU at the start of the month was 30 once again, less than half of the 72 reported Thursday.

WhileCOVID-19 numbers climbed through the month, Saskatchewan's government also switched its course overthe last 30 days.

Starting Friday, Saskatchewan residentswill have to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID test result to access a range of establishments, businesses and events.

Less than three weeks ago, on Sept. 10, Premier Scott Moe was still rejectingwidespread restrictions, including a proof of vaccine system, saying requiring vaccinations would create "two classes of citizens,"apolicy he called "divisive."

On Sept. 16, he changed course and announced mandatory masking would be reinstated, along with a proof of vaccination policy and a requirement for government employees to get vaccinated or receive negative tests.

Despite the challenging 30 days, a glimmer of hope remains at the end of September.

Vaccination numbers have been on the rise in the province, with38,337 more Saskatchewan residents becoming fully vaccinated betweenSept. 1 and Sept. 30.