Emergency public health order 'may benefit' northern Sask. communities as COVID-19 cases climb, official says
A northern Saskatchewan health official says an emergency public health order (PHO) could help clamp down on COVID-19 cases in an area that has seen a more than three-fold increase in cases since the start of the month.
According to the latest situation report from the Athabasca Health Authority (AHA), the region it serves reported 41 active cases as of Friday — a 360 per cent climb in active cases since July 1.
Thirty-eight of the active cases are concentrated in Black Lake First Nation, a community that has only seen a three per cent rise in the number of fully vaccinated people over the same period, the report says.
Currently, one in seven people are fully vaccinated in the community which has been under an outbreak declaration since June 23, according to the report prepared by AHA primary health care director Taiwo Olubanwo.
Six variant cases have been identified in the community so far since the start of the outbreak, according to the document obtained by CTV News.
The community of more than 1,600 people went into lockdown earlier this week, strictly limiting access to facilities, discouraging travel and advising community members to stay at home.
The lockdown is expected to remain in place until August 5.
While Olubanwo describes the community's overall response to the recent public health measures as "promising," he also feels action from provincial health officials may be required if the active case count continues to climb.
"A prompt review and perhaps emergency PHO may benefit some northern communities," Olubanwo writes.
"This is essential as the lifted PHO indeed makes it challenging ... to enforce the recommended movement restrictions particularly in some parts of northern Saskatchewan," Olubanwo said, referencing the province-wide lifting of COVID-19 restrictions earlier this month.
Olubanwo says work is underway to help close the vaccine gap between northern Saskatchewan and the rest of the province, particularly by enlisting the help of elders.
"We want the community to make an informed decision without having a feeling that they have been forced into taking the vaccine," Olubanwo writes.
"The elders and leadership will help validate and share their experiences related to the vaccine using a culturally sensitive approach."
The report also says a shortage of healthcare workers is a concern and that the AHA is actively recruiting staff to try and head off burnout among frontline workers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.