The Saskatchewan government reported an increase in hospitalizations and a higher death rate in their second weekly COVID-19 report than in their previous update.

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 as of Wednesday rose by 26 compared to the previous week. Total COVID-19 hospitalizations increased from 384 to 410. Though the average daily admissions fell from 37.9 to 31. 

The number of new deaths for the past week was nearly double that of the previous week. The province listed 42 new deaths for the week ending Wednesday. The previous week saw 22.

There are 181 hospitalizations for COVID-19-related illnesses (an increase of 21) and 221 incidental COVID-19 hospitalizations (a rise of 15).

Laboratory tests were performed at a rate of about 10 per 1,000 people over the week ending February 12 for a total of 12,079 (down from 17,115 for the week ending February 5). The test-positivity rate was 20.2 per cent (down from 31.1 per cent the previous week).

There were 2,522 new confirmed cases for the week (down from 7,850 week-over-week).

Saskatchewan shifted from providing daily updates to weekly updates last week.

The province removed its mandate requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter many types of establishments on Monday.

The mandate for masking in public indoor places is set to expire when the calendar flips to March.