Six COVID outbreaks were reported last week, down from eight the previous week and 10 the week before that.
Meanwhile, influenza numbers are also on the decline, but the province added 13 new flu-related deaths in the two weeks covered by the latest report. The previous two reports each noted five flu-related deaths.
According to the ministry, the week ending Saturday saw 19 flu-related hospital admissions and seven ICU admissions. The previous week saw 18 hospital and 12 ICU admissions.
The week ending Dec. 9 saw 867 positive tests for influenza, while the week ending on Saturday saw 578. Influenza A was the most commonly detected virus in Saskatchewan between Dec. 3 and Saturday.
The test-positivity rate for influenza has also declined, from 31.1 per cent in the week ending Dec. 9 to 25.2 per cent last week.
There were five influenza outbreaks reported last week, and five the previous week.
Cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were up slightly, with 111 positive tests included in the most recent report, up from 93 in the previous report.
According to the ministry, weekly emergency department visits for respiratory-like illnesses dropped to 32.2 per 1,000 last week. In the week ending on Dec. 9, that rate was 33.3 per 1,000 people.
Saskatchewan health officials have encouraged everyone to ensure their flu and COVID-19 immunizations are up to date.
