Surge in new COVID-19 infections follows low vaccine uptake in northern Sask., health authority says
COVID-19 infections continue to rise in Saskatchewan’s northern communities, prompting a lockdown and a nudge to the provincial government to make this a priority.
According to a report by the Athabasca Health Authority (AHA) 34 active cases are in the region, many of which originate in Black Lake, a small Dene reserve with a population of about 1,325.
This time last month, the region only had three active cases, according to AHA.
Twenty-eight per cent of the region is fully vaccinated according to AHA, and in Black Lake the percentage of fully vaccinated individuals drops to 14 per cent.
The rest of Saskatchewan is sitting at around 54 per cent of people who are fully vaccinated, according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
On July 23, a COVID-19 outbreak was declared in Black Lake, prompting a community-wide lockdown effective until Aug. 5.
In a letter to residents of Black Lake, the lockdown means no travel in and out of the community except for essential workers or medical emergencies.
Evidence gathered by AHA suggests a link between the rising number of new infections and the low uptake in vaccinations, according to a report.
MOE HAS 'ABSCONDED'
It’s a situation NDP opposition leader Ryan Meili said the province should focus on and remedy.
“This was a pattern that was visible and predictable. Scott Moe and the Sask Party have done very little, they need to work with local elders and leaders to promote the vaccine, they need to look at incentives to get people out and get that vaccine,” Meili said.
He added lifting all public health restrictions province wide on July 11 left many communities still struggling with rising case numbers with little power to stop COVID-19.
“Right now they have people who are positive, know that they are positive and are out in the community and there’s nothing they can do to make sure people quarantine because the Saskatchewan government, Scott Moe, has absconded from the scene, he’s taken off, decided he wants nothing to do to get this under control.”
This week Health Minister Paul Merriman told reporters it’s up to local medical health officers to request public health restrictions be put in place to stop localized spread.
However, Merriman the ministry has not received such requests from northern health authorities.
“We’re not looking at increasing any massive public health orders or provincial-wide orders, there’s nothing on the books now and these are very localized. We will be able to manage this with the help of the community and the leaders,” Merriman said.
As for vaccine uptake, Merriman said the province can’t force the vaccine on anyone, but the recent climb in case numbers and hospitalizations has been linked to people who aren’t fully vaccinated.
“The best thing we can do in the short term and long term is to get vaccinated and adhere to hand-washing, making sure you minimize your contact if there’s an outbreak in a specific area,” he said.
In a statement to CTV News, the Ministry of Health said upon repealing the provincial health orders, isolation is no longer mandatory.
However, cases and contacts are still advised by the SHA to self-isolate and follow other public health recommendations.
This week the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) called on the provincial government to help the Buffalo River Dene Nation as it is also seeing a surge in new COVID-19 infections.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.