Northern Sask. holds Canada’s highest COVID-19 case rate by far, data shows
Saskatchewan’s far north COVID-19 case rate in the last seven days is sitting at 1,180 per 100,000 people – the highest across Canada.
The northern region, which includes Prince Albert, is the second-highest at 556 per 100,000 people, according to data from the federal government.
The Government of Saskatchewan has brought back some measures in hopes of dropping the spread of COVID-19, such as mandatory masking and required self-isolation when you test positive.
While the Athabasca Health Authority’s (AHA) CEO is happy the province is reinstating preventative measures, he said a drop in cases will also take public cooperation.
“The provincial government can only do so much, but it’s also up to all of us as well to do what we can, to make sure that we are double vaccinated, make sure that we still continue to practice safe distancing, staying within our bubbles, washing our hands,” said Allan Adam.
The AHA serves communities such as Fond du Lac, Stony Rapids and Black Lake.
Adam said the vaccine rates in AHA communities are slowly rising, but are still too low. About 50 per cent of people in Fond du Lac have received their first dose, for example.
The AHA will be giving out gift cards as vaccine incentives, he said.
Starting Oct. 1, the province is also making vaccines or proof of negative tests mandatory to participate in many non-essential activities, like in restaurants, movie theatres and casinos.
“We just run the risk of further spreading it if we continue to go just as is after July 11, everything just opened up,” said Adam.
“People thought everything was good and the next thing you know, COVID is coming back into our communities again.”
Stanley Mission, located northeast of La Ronge, had 114 active cases as of Thursday, according to the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
The region that includes Stanley Mission, the far northeast, has 229 active cases among Indigenous communities served by the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.