(Submitted/ Northern village of La Loche)

By Nicole Reis

FAR NORTH COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 spreads in Far North

Apr 29, 2020 | 6:38 PM

Premier Scott Moe has announced plans to get the Saskatchewan economy back on track from May 4 will not restart in the La Loche or Lloydminster areas, while a provincial state of emergency has been extended to the Far North. This follows news of 11 more cases.

“Phase one of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan will not begin in the community of La Loche or in the community of Lloydminster on Monday as previously planned,” Moe said at today’s press conference.

La Loche and its surrounding communities are now dealing with 49 cases of the novel coronavirus, while an outbreak at Lloydminster’s hospital has led to 13 cases.

On Wednesday, 11 new cases were attributed to La Loche, as well as the province’s sixth death, an elder in their 80s who was a resident at La Loche’s long-term care facility.

In a daily public briefing in La Loche, Trevor Tessier, Director of Primary Care at Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), told the community there are now 38 confirmed cases in La Loche, five in Clearwater River Dene Nation, one positive in Beauval, and six cases in Patuanak. Three recoveries remain in La Loche and six residents in long term care where one resident is confirmed positive for COVID-19. In a media release Wednesday, the provincial government said a resident in their 80s from the far north had died.

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It’s the second death reported in the region in three days. The province announced Monday a resident of La Loche had died.

“Yesterday and today, we had public health nurses from around the northwest coming and really helping out, Tessier said. “We got a lot more testing done yesterday where we had drive-through testing and mobile testing where individuals would go to a person’s home if they were not able to come in for drive-by testing.”

Additionally the GeneXpert rapid testing machine is up and running in La Loche and there is more security added to facility areas. Emergency Services are still open and functioning in La Loche.

“We have a number of staff calling and doing some of the contact tracing where they’re looking at close contacts for people who are considered positive or thought to have COVID-19,” Tessier said. “Please help them out when they call and answer. If they leave a message call back as that will help decrease the spread and get them the information they need to know so they can help you the best they can.”

Mayor Robert St. Pierre asked how many tests can be conducted with the GeneXpert rapid testing.

“The GeneXpert does have a limit to the amount of tests that can be conducted. It’s a smaller unit to what Saskatoon or Regina may have. If we have enough cartridges for it, about 80 tests in a day,” Tessier explained. “However the GeneXpert is not the only measure we’re making in La Loche. We also have a GeneXpert in Meadow Lake and Île-à-la-Crosse we also have increased our sample runs so we can get samples down to Saskatoon or Regina if necessary so we will get the job done.”

Mental stress

Leonard Montgrand asked whether mental health services and support were available for people who are scared and uncertain.

“A lot of people are very afraid and nervous breakdowns may occur at times and people might be panicking so I suggested some of our hospital staff hospital staff who have gone through the quarantine process and have come out, maybe we can we utilize those people, if they’re willing, to speak to people in the community that are going through the process of the virus, just so they don’t have huge issues to deal with as they go through this process. I can only imagine it’s very frightening to have the virus and not know the outcome.”

“We’ve provided call numbers and those are numbers that can be called if someone has anxiety or mental health concerns. We’re looking at what on the ground support we can provide right away. Having someone locally available in La Loche on top of our normal support,” Tessier said.

Dr. Rim Zayed from SHA joined the call and said the community is still at three recoveries.

“Some people are recovering soon, and I think by tomorrow, we can disclose more numbers of people recovering however, I want to emphasize, if you are healthy and you get COVID-19, please try to respect self-isolation for the sake of our vulnerable population.”

Montgrand went on to address the young people in the community and commended those who were following guidelines, but raised concerns about others.

“I see young people driving around town, young people, in the same vehicle. That’s a big potential for spreading the virus. If you’re going to ride with another person, wear a mask and avoid close contact,” he said.

Beauval case

In a statement from the SHA, an individual at the Beauval General Store has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) on April 28, after developing symptoms. After further assessment of the situation the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority and Saskatchewan Health Authority public health officials are advising customers who have recently shopped or bought gas at this store between April 12 and April 27 to initially SELF-MONITOR daily for symptoms of COVID-19. If any of the following symptoms appear during self-monitoring, they should then self-isolate IMMEDIATELY and call HealthLine 811 or their community health centre for evaluation and advice.

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please contact your family physician or 811 in order to receive a referral. Information about symptoms can be found at Saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

Multiple condolences were given to the family of elder Agnes Mcdonald who passed away today.

With Files from CKOM

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722