Four cases of COVID-19 in the RM's of Cut Knife and Hillsdale prompted an advisory from the SHA. (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota/Twitter)

By Josh Ryan

Possible community transmission

SHA issues alert over confimed COVID-19 cases in Cut Knife and Hillsdale RM’s

Jul 23, 2020 | 5:07 PM

Four confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Rural Municipalities of Cut Knife and Hillsdale have the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) warning of an increase in community transmission.

The SHA issued an advisory regarding the increase in the two RM’s (No. 439 and No. 440) Thursday, noting that the mode of acquisition could not be established for two cases. Public health alerts are issued as a precaution when the SHA is not able to clearly identify all possible close contacts during a period when there was a risk of transmission of the virus.

Medical Health Officer Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu asked for those in the area to adhere to safety guidelines while contact tracing is ongoing.

“All residents in the area are requested to be vigilant, practice physical distancing (staying at least two meters apart from each other), ensure proper hand hygiene (handwashing with water and soap, or use of hand sanitizer when water and soap are not available) and use a mask when in a public area indoors.”

Some of the symptoms for the coronavirus include new/worsening cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, and having a temperature equal to or over 38°C. Gwenn Kaye, Mayor of the Town of Cut Knife, added to the advisory from SHA, saying residents must not let their guard down.

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“Be aware. We’ve done a good job so far, but everyone needs to be careful,” she said. “Be safe. Don’t put yourself or your family at risk.”

Kaye said businesses and residents in the area have worked diligently with the government to keep people safe.

“The town is working together to get this problem solved.”

Don McCallum, administrator for the RM of Cut Knife, echoed the Mayor’s sentence, referring to actions taken by businesses earlier this year.

“The pharmacy and insurance agency closed their doors for two weeks to ensure no one came into their store that could have it.”

While McCallum expects residents will adhere to public health orders and municipal government guidelines, including limiting social circles and not attending large gatherings, he said it’s important to remind everyone of the elevated risk of community transmission.

“Everyone has been rather careful since we’ve been hearing from the province. We just have to continue that and find out where these new cases came from, so we can put a stop to [the spread].”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports