REGINA — Provincial data says tens of thousands of people have made appointments for COVID-19 booster shots in Saskatchewan in the face of a possible surge of infections caused by the Omicron variant.

Some 59 new COVID-19 cases are being reported today, but testing has found up to 65 cases of the Omicron variant — up from five on Friday.

Fifty-five of the Omicron cases identified through screening are probable and 10 have been confirmed.

The province says it has expanded eligibility for booster vaccinations to curb the expected increase of infections due to the fast-spreading variant. 

It says more than 18,000 appointments for boosters were booked by about noon.

The province has also reduced the time between the second and third doses to three months from five.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2021. 

The Canadian Press