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(Submitted/ NVLL & CRDN Covid-19 Updates)
LA LOCHE HEALTH

La Loche continues to see positive developments in battle against COVID-19 outbreak

May 27, 2020 | 8:36 PM

The community of La Loche is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 and Clearwater River is expecting all outstanding cases to have recovered in the coming days.

During a public health update on the local CHPN 88.9 MBC Radio Network in La Loche, health officials and community leaders addressed the state of the outbreak as active case numbers in the Far North village are continuing to decline.

Dr. Rim Zayed, Chief Medical Officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), was joined by Chief Teddy Clark of Clearwater River Dene Nation, La Loche mayor Robert St. Pierre, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan council member Leonard Montgrand, deputy mayor Randy Herman and Trevor Tessier, director of primary care Northwest with SHA.

Dr. Zayed congratulated the community for their efforts though urged the public to maintain vigilant with Public Health Orders as there are still a number of active cases in both locations.

“Our active cases are decreasing every day and now we have 27 active cases and this is great news,” Dr. Zayed said.

The doctor explained the importance of the community continuing with health measures as spreading the virus is still possible. She suggested adopting a new way of living involving physical distancing and regular hygiene measures as there is currently no treatment or vaccine available.

“We need to make prevention and precaution measures a priority in our life, in everything we do,” she said. “If we are gathering, we need to maintain a physical distance, we need to wash hands and we need to take care of our vulnerable population.”

Even if an individual is presenting flu-like symptoms, they are urged to self-isolate until there are no symptoms. Or, if an individual lives with the elderly or people with weakened immune systems they should isolate for 14 days. If a person has travelled or come into contact with multiple people, they are urged to self-isolate and not participate in mass gatherings to prevent community spread.

Chief Teddy Clark said Clearwater River’s numbers had not changed much over the last 12 days with no increase. Total cases to date are still 31: 29 recovered with total active cases of two.

“Look at the numbers, they speak for themselves,” he said. “I know when the alcohol establishments were shut down, it helped, improve our numbers and so has other measures.”

The Chief advised people who are travelling south to Saskatoon where an outbreak was declared today, to continue with wearing masks and social distancing to prevent bringing the virus back home. Even if the community has no active cases and as restrictions begin to ease, he said people should continue with the recommended health measures to prevent a second wave until a vaccine has been developed.

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan councillor, Leonard Montgrand addressed the issue of homes in La Loche which do not have septic tanks or do not have water tanks with clean running water coming into their home. He urged those residents to get in touch with him to gain support through Métis Nation-Saskatchewan.

La Loche mayor Robert St. Pierre reminded the community the outbreak in his community started with one person and called on them to continue cleaning surfaces and to continue with hygiene. He also addressed the outbreak that has emerged after a gathering in Saskatoon.

“If there were individuals in our community there, the potential for them to return with the virus is pretty high,” he said. “Practice physical distancing and if you have any symptoms contact public health.”

nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722

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