Days after accepting a report into a privacy breach at eHealth, Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman announced a new board of directors.

Saskatchewan health minister Paul Merriman stands firm on receiving instruction from the federal government to hold back second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Statistics provided by Saskatchewan's Ministry of Health show that of the 155 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the province in 2020, 65 were in care home settings.

Saskatchewan health officials said they expect to receive 4,900 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 28.

Health Minister Paul Merriman pointed to the Angus Reid Institute survey that showed people were satisfied with the Saskatchewan government's handling of the coronavirus.

Provincial auditor Judy Ferguson said eHealth must do a better job of controlling and monitoring IT network access, and testing disaster recovery plans.

Saskatchewan's plan for COVID-19 vaccinations is expected to be unveiled next week and will incorporate experiences from the H1N1 pandemic of 2009.

"We would hope people would choose this because it helps us get rid of the virus quicker, but that's their choice on whether they want to get vaccinated or not."

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said they could choose to extend existing measures, bring in added ones or loosen the restriction that limits household gatherings.

Terms of the contract between SUN and SAHO, which still needs to be ratified, have not been released.