Five more people in northern Saskatchewan have tested positive for the coronavirus as the health authority updated the effective reproduction number (ERN) in the region.
Three of the cases are in the Beauval area and the other two in La Loche, where outbreaks have previously been declared.
The updated numbers come as the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) reported the spread rate of the novel coronavirus in northern Saskatchewan is nearly triple the rate of other parts of the province.
The ERN rate in the north and far north regions is 2.13, the SHA reported Tuesday.
This is the average number of people that one person with the virus is likely to infect.
One reason why the number might be high could be stigmatization, said Dr. Julie Kryzanowski, as she said it could be creating a barrier to being tested.
“Stigma against those with COVID-19, or living and working in communities with COVID-19, is preventing some from seeking testing,” said Kryzanowski, who is the SHA senior medical health officer.
“Some, especially those who are part of small communities, fear being identified as having symptoms.”
She said it is natural for people to be concerned or have fears about COVID-19, and in some cases, she said it is making people fearful of admitting symptoms and to seek testing.
“The fact is, this virus is extremely contagious; anyone could get it, young and old alike,” Kryzanowski said.
“We should celebrate those heading into testing centres; they are doing their part. Don’t stigmatize them; it might be them today, but it could be you tomorrow.”
She said testing is important so that health officials can understand how the virus is being transmitted in communities.
“And that’s really important to understanding the effectiveness of our public health interventions.
“The message today is to get tested if you have symptoms, no matter how mild.”
Scott Livingstone said a managed alcohol program is being launched in La Loche to help reduce the risk of transmission.
He said this harm reduction strategy will help those with alcohol addictions and provide support to them with the current ban on alcohol sales in the community.
“Community leaders, as well as health-care teams across La Loche, have recognized the additional stress that public health measures can bring to vulnerable members of a community living in such a geographical isolated area,” said Livingstone, the CEO of the SHA.
“Managed alcohol provides regulated doses of alcohol to program participants as a way to address problems with severe alcohol dependencies.”
Livingstone said the program has had success with their partners in Saskatoon.
The province stopped all beverage alcohol-related sales, distribution and consumption sites following the request of La Loche Mayor Robert St. Pierre.
Health officials said too many people are spreading the novel coronavirus by drinking together.
The ERN rate for the rest of the province is 0.75. Two weeks ago, the SHA said modelling for the province was 0.7.
A rate consistently below 1.0 is an indication the virus is being managed effectively through personal preventative measures, the health authority said.
The five new cases bring the overall total in the province to 573, with 193 active cases: far north (151), north (29), Saskatoon (12), and central (1).
There are no active cases in the Regina or south regions.
Another 11 recoveries were reported, bringing total recoveries to 374.
Six people in the province have died due to COVID-19.
The SHA is currently using a modelling scenario with a spread rate of 3.12 for planning in the event of a major COVID-19 surge.
Part of that planning includes converting community hospitals to alternate level of care (ALC) sites.
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ALC sites are closed to emergency services and acute care admissions, and the SHA said those facilities will instead care for those requiring palliative, convalescence, respite, rehab or long-term care.
By doing so, officials said COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pre-acute or post-acute patients are separated to avoid the risk of transmission and to protect the most vulnerable populations.
Community hospitals in Kerrobert, Herbert, Preeceville, Broadview, Radville, and Lanigan were converted to ALC sites on May 8.
The SHA said more community hospitals are being converted to ALC sites in the coming weeks, but other details were not provided.
Health care services resumption
Health officials said work continues for the first phase of the resumption of medical services on May 19.
That’s when surgeries will be expanded from emergency and three-week urgent cases to six-week urgent cases.
MRIs will increase from 50 per cent to 75 per cent of normal capacity. CT scans are also returning to 75 per cent of normal capacity from the current 55 per cent level.
The SHA said teams are mobilized internally to advance work for the first phase.
That includes considering the risks of implementing each phase and the status of COVID-19 positive patients in communities in determining variations to the resumption of services plan, SHA officials said.
— With files from Mickey Djuric
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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