The variant is located on-reserve near La Ronge. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Health Update

LLRIB reports first case of COVID-19 variant

Mar 18, 2021 | 1:16 PM

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band has been notified by health officials of one positive case of a COVID-19 variant of concern.

That’s according to a public service announcement released Wednesday, which states the location of the case is La Ronge on-reserve, close contacts are self-isolating and contact tracing is ongoing.

The positive COVID-19 variant of concern test result has been sent to the National Microbiology Lab to determine which variant of concern it is. Currently in Canada there are three variants of concerns identified as the United Kingdom, African and Brazilian variants of concern.

“As more cases of these variants come into our communities, we ask that you continue to follow the public health orders including wearing a mask when in public, keeping within your household and outdoor bubble, wash your hands frequently and social distance,” the announcement states.

As of March 17, there were 135 confirmed cases of the new United Kingdom and African COVID-19 variant of concerns in Saskatchewan. There are currently 313 presumptive variant of concern cases reported in the Far North East (one), Saskatoon (six), Central East (five), Regina (264), South Central (23) and South East (14) zones.

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“Please stay home if you feel unwell even with mild symptoms and if you have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19,” the release states. “Get tested if you experience symptoms or if you have been in contact with a person who has tested positive.”

Health officials with the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority are advising the public there has been a significant increase of variants of concern in Saskatchewan, including the North. An advisory from NITHA notes the variants are 30 to 70 per cent more transmissible. It mentions modelling for the variants indicate young people are more at-risk.

NITHA accepts ultra-low temperature freezer donation

An ultra-low temperature freezer from Bayer Canada has been donated to the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA).

The donation was made through Bayer’s Crop Science division and is meant to enhance the health authority’s readiness for cold chain storage, as well as distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to northern First Nations communities in Saskatchewan.

“We are one step closer to meeting the criteria for the storage of Pfizer vaccine as a result of this donation,” NITHA Executive Director Tara Campbell said in a release. “We are grateful for the support provided by Bayer.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno