Southend, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. (Cameconorth.com)

By Alison Sandstrom

North Central Matters

No further on-reserve COVID-19 cases in the North

Mar 27, 2020 | 6:02 PM

Twenty-four of the 104 COVID-19 cases being reported in Saskatchewan straddle three large geographically regions including Prince Albert and the North. Meanwhile, there is some good news coming out of the community of Southend.

On Friday, the Government of Saskatchewan began breaking down COVID-19 data into six regions as opposed to the five they have used previously. There are now separate North and Far North regions. It was not immediately clear if Prince Albert remained as defined in the Central region.

At publication time the province had not provided a map clarifying the boundaries of these new areas, but cases were broken down as follows: Central -8 ; North -13; Far North -3. The actual communities in which cases are located are not reported by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Southend case recovers

The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) reported a person with COVID-19 in Southend has recovered.

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“The two cases that we had, one has recovered and the second one is awaiting recovery,” NITHA Medical Health Officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka told paNOW.

Aside from the two Southend cases, Ndubuka said there have been no further cases of COVID-19 on-reserve in the North. While this is good news, he said precautionary measures continue to be important.

“The battle is not over yet,” Ndubuka said. “We would really like the people to continue to implement the public health measures that have been identified, including physical distancing and frequent hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette.”

He also thanked front-line and health care workers.

“It’s important for them to be encouraged to do their best to see that we win this battle and for Chief and Council to continue to support individuals who continue to put their life on the front line,” he explained.

No further confirmed cases connected to Lakeland event

Meanwhile in a press conference on Friday, Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s top doctor, told reporters he did not know of any further cases connected to the March 14 snowmobile rally supper held at Christopher Lake, but several individuals who attended the event had reported symptoms.

“There are several that have some symptoms, so they are being assessed,” Shahab said. “Obviously not everyone with symptoms needs to get tested because if your symptoms are not COVID-19 related you don’t need testing.”

Everyone who attended the Lakeland Snowmobile Club Wilderness Rally Supper is required to self-isolate.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom