(Tourism Saskatchewan) 

By Nicole Reis

LA LOCHE COVID-19 UPDATE

La Loche and Clearwater River grapple with 12 cases of COVID-19

Apr 22, 2020 | 5:15 PM

La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation have seen their combined number of cases of COVID-19 double from the previous day.

La Loche mayor Robert St. Pierre told meadowlakeNOW, as of Wednesday, the northern village of La Loche has nine cases and three cases were in Clearwater River Dene Nation. Those numbers were at five and one respectively on Tuesday.

“Ongoing testing has been done for contact tracing and those were the results that came back.” St. Pierre said. “A lot of tests came back negative then we’ve had some others come back positive which is why we’re where we’re at.”

St. Pierre said the La Loche Community Health Centre has transitioned to a COVID-19 testing and assessment centre. He added the fear and anxiety within the community is on an increase because of the outbreak.

He said he is interested to see what Premier Scott Moe has to say within the next 24 hours, including the plans to Re-Open Saskatchewan.

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“The north is starting to have increases in COVID-19, yet the province is ready to open up certain things,” St. Pierre said. “We supported the province when they went through this. Now that we’re getting hit, it’s just like ‘okay, the north is hit, let’s carry on.’”

Chief Teddy Clark of Clearwater River Dene Nation, which neighbours La Loche, said three confirmed cases on the First Nation are in the same residence and are self-isolating at home. Those cases are expected to recover by April 30.

“Most of our cases are self-isolated,” he said. “They’re recovering in their own homes. It’s down to just one home that’s self-isolated and from what I’m hearing, they’re slowly recovering and doing well.”

Chief Clark stressed the importance of extra hygiene precautions and social distancing during the pandemic.

Contact Tracing

In a statement, Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health staff said contact tracing related to positive results for COVID-19 cases in La Loche will continue.

Of the 12 confirmed cases in the village of La Loche and surrounding area, results include some cases connected to the long-term care facility, where an outbreak has been declared.

As the contact tracing continues, individuals are asked to self-isolate. They are monitored for symptoms of COVID-19, and tested when required. “As contact tracing continues, we do expect additional positive tests results.” the statement said.

“As contact tracing investigations are ongoing, the SHA reminds everyone to take extra precautions to reduce the risk of exposure and transmission.”

The SHA added extra precautions include thorough and frequent hand washing, coughing into your arm, avoid touching your face, monitoring yourself for any symptoms of COVID-19 and following guidelines for social distancing. If you are out in the community to get essential things, practice proper hand washing upon returning back home.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please self-isolate immediately and contact your family physician or call HealthLine 811.

With Files from CKOM

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722