COVID-19 cases climb as village imposes strict travelling rules

“Our current updated cases are 75 confirmed in La Loche, five in Clearwater River Dene Nation, six in Patuanak and four in Beauval,” she said.

After translating results in Dene language, Randy Herman pleaded with the community to follow physical distancing guidelines.

“To the people who are not complying and not listening – why aren’t you listening?” he said. ”You are putting others at risk, especially the vulnerable ones. A lot of people are talking to us, parents, friends, elders and even children – you’re still not listening and continue to line up every day at the stores, post office, liquor store and gas stations. Essential only means when you need something. Some people are still gathering and partying and this is not helping us.”

He highlighted how two elders in the community had so far died as a result of the virus. He also thanked children of the community who are following guidelines.

Ahenakew elaborated on initiatives including mobilizing additional isolation units to the community of La Loche and additional support coming from the SHA Emergency Operation Centre and the provincial government for enhanced rapid testing in the community.

Expanded testing

“We’re talking about an aggressive plan for contact tracing that includes priority testing and enhanced testing available in the community. Medical Health Officer, Dr.Rim Zayed’s strategy is a systematic approach based on contact tracing with a lower threshold of testing for all household contacts of a positive case which means a broader criteria now. Before it was based on criteria [where] you had to have significant symptoms and be a contact to a positive case,” she said. “Now, if people are exhibiting symptoms, they should get tested and need to call 811 or the Health Center.”

With the expanded testing, if somebody in the household has symptoms, the entire household will be tested and it will be done through a number of approaches. The drive-through testing has dedicated staff. Approximately 40 additional SHA registered nurses from around the province are on their way to support the initiatives.

If you do not have a vehicle and cannot make drive-through testing a health staff will come to the home to test symptomatic individuals as well as members of the home.

“In addition to more testing available to the community, there is now a GeneXpert machine operational at the La Loche Health Centre giving us the opportunity for quick results. In addition to the GeneXpert, which tests for COVID-19 in the facility, the province and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency are working to get a chartered air service to transport specimens to Regina for more rapid results. We’re also hoping to complete testing in the community in the next five days,” she said.

Clamping down on travel

Leonard Montgrand, council member with the Metis Nation, said a couple who had travelled for a medical appointment and got to Green Lake were sent back by conservation officers.

Another case where a man from Beauval who was on their way to Meadow Lake to grocery shop, as the Beauval grocery store is now closed, was stopped in Green Lake, fined $2,800 and sent back.

…those who do not respect [the checkpoints] will pay the consequences _{– Chief Teddy Clark}

“If you go through Buffalo Narrows, you’ll be escorted through the community, they don’t want you to keep going because they are afraid of the virus also,” Montgrand said. “We’re coming to a point where we’re not going to be able to control the virus and drastic action will take place – people will be upset but what can we do?”

Continued frustration

Chief Teddy Clark was particularly disappointed as people in the community are still not getting the message about how serious the virus is as the positive case numbers are steadily climbing.

“The checkpoints will be erected on the reserve and those who do not respect it will pay the consequences,” he said.

Staffed reserve checkpoints are now in line with the imposed curfew as no one will be allowed to leave or enter past 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. so those who are out of the community must return.

The Chief also called out an individual who attempted to pass a checkpoint and claimed he’d lied about the Chief’s approval to leave the reserve.

Montgrand added people who have recovered from the virus are healthy and should not be ostracized by other community members.

SHA increasing supports in Northwest to contain COVID-19

In a statement, the SHA is expanding its testing and contact tracing in La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation as it continues its vigorous approach to deal with an outbreak of COVID-19 in the area. The enhanced efforts will work in alignment with the testing and assessment being done by the Northern-Inter Tribal Health Authority.

Early identification of new cases and close contacts is critical in the response. The SHA has accelerated efforts to reallocate staff to support the response in north west Saskatchewan, including broadcast messages to staff to identify possible appropriate candidates for this work and labour pool re-assignment, all key components of the COVID-19 pandemic readiness plan.

—

nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722

by Nicole Reis

COVID-19 cases climb as village imposes strict travelling rules

What's Trending