(Submitted/NVLL & CRDN COVID-19 Updates)

By Nicole Reis

LA LOCHE COVID-19 UPDATE

Addiction support to La Loche amid continued outbreak

May 11, 2020 | 7:35 PM

The northern village of La Loche is seeing a slight tapering in its active cases of COVID-19 since last week as support for alcohol-dependent people is made available.

Dr. Rim Zayed, Medical Health Officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) told the community over local radio Monday the total positive cases in La Loche are now at 147 with 38 recoveries. There were four new cases reported. Clearwater River Dene Nation are now at 27 total cases with four recoveries.

“We are starting the mobile team who are dedicated to working on active case finding by going door to door,” she said. “If we get a higher number of cases, we will not be surprised, but we want to make sure everyone has a chance to be tested which is part of our aggressive case finding.”

Health care workers are reaching out to individuals in households to determine other symptoms or to determine if other supports are needed. The doctor placed emphasis on individuals answering their phones so testing can take place.

“Don’t be discouraged with self-isolation and don’t be upset with the health care workers who call you every day to monitor if you are okay,” she said. “We are not trying to tell you what to do, they are trying to check on you to make sure you are okay. Health care workers can flag something while checking and refer you to a physician or nurse. ”

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Trevor Tessier, Director of Primary Care NW with the SHA, said door to door testing happening tomorrow, was in three phases: individuals and households will be called as contact tracing continues, individuals who speak to a health care provider will discuss health care workers coming to the home, and the third phase will be an assessment of symptoms or factors considered if an individual is homeless or in a harm reduction program.

“Specifically, if one step testing is occurring and the health care provider has deemed [additional testing is necessary], we would like your help so we can test the rest of your household and individuals you’ve been in close contact with,” Tessier said.

Aggressive testing will focus on communities such as Washington Street, Danielle Street and Mary Street, Wall Street, La Loche Avenue and Ghost Town among other streets to ensure everyone in the community is tested.

“Individuals in that area tomorrow will be called if you have a phone and we will give a quick assessment, a quick conversation and a van will come out to do testing where it’s warranted so please have your phone on and help us out,” he said. “Thirty-six front line staff are helping out with swabbing.”

Alcohol management team

The North Battleford Mental Health team has come to the community to assist with the creation of a Manage Alcohol Program (MAP) for individuals who are chronically dependent on alcohol and those who need it. The program will be available on May 12

The purpose of the program falls under harm reduction where abstinence is the primary goal. The MAP program finds ways to improves social function and quality of life. The program controls alcohol consumption so people are not experiencing withdrawal but prevents a person from getting overly intoxicated. The development comes after the closure of liquor stores on Friday.

The program is unique in the province and reserved for those with severe alcohol dependency and is comparable to the Saskatoon Lighthouse program where alcohol is distributed in a controlled manner under a prescription.

Mental health and addiction intake is open seven days a week in La Loche at 306-235-7887 for anyone experiencing withdrawal symptoms or if individuals want to help.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722