Onion Lake Cree Nation leadership is asking for cooperation from residents as more cases of COVID-19 are found in the community.
Director of Operations Phillip Chief says all hands are on deck to help with the pandemic as a total of 13 cases have been found in the community. Chief adds one person is in hospital and contact tracing is underway.
Chief notes guidelines are in place for who will be tested and priority will be given to individuals who were advised to get testing by the Saskatchewan Health Authority contact tracing team and those who have symptoms. He asks residents to continue practicing social distancing
“We have a lot of contact tracing that’s been ongoing over the weekend and we’re doing as best as we can to reach everybody. If you are aware or have been to any of the locations, please self-monitor, isolate yourself if you have symptoms until you get the test done.”
Onion Lake residents are asked to self-monitor for any symptoms if they had attended any family gatherings over the past few weeks. He mentions there is a backlog in testing and contact tracing, due to outbreaks across the province and results can take several days to come in. Due to the weather conditions over the weekend, some bookings for tests were delayed as well.
“We ask that you be patient and understand there is a lot of contact tracing that’s commencing as we speak and there is a backlog of tests. We’re a part of that process and our testing will take not within two days, but may could be as long as five days sometimes. We urge you if you have been contacted or in contact with first contacts or secondary to continue self-monitoring.”
Chief says there is mandatory 14 day isolation period for those notified and there could be legal consequence for those who do not self-isolate. Last week, Onion Lake leadership implemented several measures to try and keep the number of cases down. Some of the measures include a mandatory curfew, mandatory masks for public places and the cancellation of several events.
Potential Exposure Locations
Onion Lake leadership notes individuals who were likely infectious visited the following location and any residents who were there during the specified times should self-monitor for symptoms.
Onion Lake Cree Nation
- Kihew Waciston Cree Immersion School on October 27, 28, 29, 30 and November 1, 2, 3 during working hours
- Kihew Waciston Cree Immersion School on October 28 during a staff meeting from noon to 1 p.m.
- OLCN Health Centre on October 27 from 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.
- OLCN Business Development Corporation on October 27 and 30 during working hours
- Askiy Apoy Fluid Hauling on October 29 and November 2 during working hours
Lloydminster
- Real Canadian Superstore, 5031 44 St, October 28 from 4:30 to 5 p.m.
- Safeway, 5211 44 St, October 30 from 5 to 6 p.m.
- The Diner, 1404 50 Ave, October 30 from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.
- May Cinema 6, 4704 49 Ave, October 30 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
North Battleford
- Gold Eagle Casino, 11902 Railway Ave, November 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Kihiw Restaurant, 11902 Railway Ave, November 1 from 5 to 6 p.m.
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 11412 Railway Ave, November 1 from 8 to 8:15 p.m.
- No Frills, 11430 Railway Ave, November 1 from 8:30 to 8:50 p.m.
- Tim Hortons, 11402 Railway Ave, November 1 from 9 to 9:15 p.m.
Should COVID-19 symptoms develop, people should immediately self-isolate and call HealthLine 811, your physician or nurse practitioner to arrange for testing. Symptoms could develop any time within two days to fourteen days.