While 'tough' without public health order, Sask. First Nation's lockdown led to drop in COVID-19: official
A First Nation in northern Saskatchewan hit hard by a COVID-19 outbreak is emerging from a two-week voluntary lockdown in better shape.
That's according to an Athabasca Health Authority (AHA) report authored by primary healthcare executive director Taiwo Olubanwo.
As the temporary lockdown lifts, Black Lake First Nation has 19 active cases of COVID-19. During the outbreak's peak in late July, the community had over 40 active cases according to the report.
The outbreak was first declared on June 23.
During the lockdown period, access to facilities was strictly limited, travel was discouraged and community members were advised to stay at home.
While there was some inital resistance to the measures, Olubanwo writes that the community's response was "promising" a week into the lockdown.
Olubanwo had floated the idea of an emergency public health order (PHO) from the province to help enforce the measures.
Even without the order, Olubanwo says it appears the lockdown was also succesful in preventing the spread of COVID-19 to nearby communities.
"Evidence shows that the lockdown is effective, although tough to enforce without PHO," Olubanwo writes in the report.
Vaccination rates are still lagging in the community of more than 1,600, according to the report. Just 14 per cent of people there are fully vaccinated, Olubanwo says.
"With the number of efforts put in by the AHA primary health care team, our partners, and the community stakeholders, there is an increased chance that the vaccinated individual(s) may increase in the coming week in the face of a potential surge in COVID-19 active cases following the lockdown discontinuation."
While COVID-19 poses a signifigant risk in the community due to the lower rates of vaccination, Olubanwo says extending the lockdown would potentially be "challenging" without an emergency PHO in place.
"It is summertime, many people want to go on vacation, visit friends and family and have fun," Olubanwo says.
"In all fairness, lifting the lockdown is not the issue. Adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures is indeed essential."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.