Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. (Canadian Press)

By Alison Sandstrom

COVID-19

Dr. Shahab warns of ‘ongoing community transmission’ in Prince Albert

Jul 7, 2020 | 4:58 PM

Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer says a string of unrelated cases of COVID-19 in the Prince Albert area is evidence of ongoing community transmission.

Dr. Saqib Shahab told reporters on a Tuesday teleconference he was aware of two new cases in the area, in addition to the four cases reported last week.

“We are seeing sporadic cases with no links to any known cases and some of them have resulted in hospitalization,” he said. “What that means is there’s ongoing community transmission.”

Prevention and testing are the only known ways to interrupt community transmission, he explained.

“All of us throughout Saskatchewan, and especially in the P.A. area, need to practice physical distancing and mask use when indoors or in crowded situations,” he said.

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While Shahab said testing numbers in the Prince Albert area are consistent with rates across the province, local public health teams are working on a plan to enhance them.

“Especially because of these hospitalizations we do want testing to increase well above the baseline,” he explained.

He said considerations based on geography will be part of that strategy.

“Right now the concern seems not just to be in the City of P.A., but in the broad area north of P.A. a lot of those holiday and recreational areas,” he said.

Shahab said he knew lots of people were getting out to enjoy summer weather in the region which was fine, but needed to be done safely.

“We should not participate in any events or gatherings if we’re unwell,” he said. “And we should seek testing and follow other advice if we test positive.”

Shahab said so far, none of the Prince Albert cases have been linked to travel outside the area, but investigations are ongoing.

According to provincial data, there were seven active cases in the North region (which includes P.A.) on Tuesday.

The death of a person in their 20s from the North was also reported on Tuesday.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom