(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Pandemic concerns

Northern Sask. communities prepared for coronavirus

Mar 9, 2020 | 1:26 PM

The risk for a case of coronavirus in Northern Saskatchewan First Nation communities is low but is not zero, according to the Medical Health Officer for the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA).

Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka said NITHA’s focus right now is making sure its 33 member communities are kept up to date with all the latest information.

“One of the things we continue to do is have a weekly tele-conference with our nursing team and give them the opportunity to ask questions and clarify any concerns,” he said.

As of Monday morning there were no cases of Covid-19 in Saskatchewan, but Ndubuka said that does not mean people should not take precautions.

“We are continuing to increase our diligence in terms of encouraging people to maintain routine infection and control practices including frequent washing of the hands with soap and water,” he said.

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Ndubuka explained in the case of a pandemic or outbreak, remote northern communities face a different set of challenges, as compared to urban centres, specifically around the ability to ship samples for testing and the ability of the communities to isolate those suspected of having the virus.

“Currently we are continuing to work with these communities and also other stakeholders within the province to see how best we can prepare communities to mitigate the impact in the likely event we have a case in our hands,” Ndubuka said, adding people with travel plans, need to avoid areas such as Iran, Italy and China, where the coronavirus is a greater risk.

At a press conference Monday morning, Canada’s top public-health doctor recommended all Canadians avoid travelling on cruise ships to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus. Dr. Theresa Tam previously advised Canadians to think twice about cruises but has now toughened her warning.

There are six cases of the virus in Canada linked to a previous voyage of the Grand Princess cruise ship out of San Francisco.

NITHA is comprised of Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and serves a population of roughly 55,000 people.

—with files from the Canadian Press

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell