"COVID-19 activity is increasing in the province of Saskatchewan."

That was how the province began their latest COVID-19 written update, which was released on Thursday.

The province says that the test positivity rate has increased from 4 per cent to 7.4 per cent since the last reporting period. The central east and Saskatoon regions have the highest test positivity rate at 10 per cent.

Outbreaks in high risk settings, such as long-term care homes, and hospital admissions due to COVID-19 have both increased. From July 17-August 13, there were 46 outbreaks, compared with just three in the previous reporting period of June 26-July 16. Hospital admissions increased from 265 to 488, with ICU admissions jumping from 18 to 27.

COVID-19 deaths in Saskatchewan are hovering around seven per week, the province said. 

Approximately 45 per cent of the population in Saskatchewan has received at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, with many more now eligible for a fourth dose.