It was announced Monday that City of North Battleford and the Town of Battleford have formed a joint administrative committee in response to the coronavirus situation.
According to a joint news release from the city and the town, the committee is to “cooperatively develop strategies and to coordinate efforts to minimize infection risks to residents of both communities and staff members. If a COVID-19 pandemic is declared both municipalities will follow the guidance of the Provincial and Federal government’s authority.”
“The Battlefords is a highly integrated and interconnected community that has residents with strong economic and social ties on both sides of the North Saskatchewan River. Administration from the City and Town recognize the need to work together to best protect all residents. This regional approach, with administration working together is the most effective way to manage risk, ensuring the health and safety of everyone in the City and Town.”
According to the news release, the city and town administrations are “working together to ensure that priority services continue for the Battlefords if the COVID-19 virus is declared a pandemic. Advanced planning and preparedness can ensure critical infrastructure is unaffected and that infection opportunities are minimized.”
The news release, which can be found on the city's website, also identifies the symptoms of COVID-19: fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. It was noted that in more severe cases it could cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, and that older people or those with chronic illnesses may be at higher risk. Those who have these symptoms are urged to contact HealthLine 811 for assessment and direction.
Right now there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Battlefords or anywhere in the province of Saskatchewan. According to the province the risk to Canadians remains low.
But concern over COVID-19 has heightened in recent days with word that neighbouring Alberta has recorded its first cases of the virus. Three more cases were announced Monday bringing the total in that province to seven.
The respiratory illness has seen major outbreaks in Asia, Europe and the Middle East as well as a growing number of cases in North America. Several sporting events and conferences have been cancelled or postponed around the world.
In recent weeks the city of North Battleford had been working on a pandemic policy, based on a longstanding policy document developed by the city during the SARS outbreak.
The policy had been discussed previously at Planning Committee and is due to come up at city council for discussion Monday night. When the issue was discussed at Planning Committee in February, a major concern expressed was ensuring the city was prepared to deal with impacts from the loss of staff due to illness during a pandemic.
In speaking to the News-Optimist Monday afternoon, Battleford chief administrative officer John Enns-Wind noted that keeping essential services functioning during a pandemic was a major concern. He cited the need to ensure everyone had water, that roads were cleared and that fire departments were available to function in the event of a pandemic.
"It seems prudent that both administrations work collaboratively to ensure services like water, wastewater, garbage, roads are cleared," said Enns-Wind. He also noted both communities have civic employees from both sides of the river.
"It's possible both municipalities may be short staffed. By working together we can ensure there is cross-training and mutual support if we're short-staffed. It seems prudent with something like this that we work together."
The two communities had been working on this plan for some time, and Enns-Wind noted the town has been stepping up its cleaning and prevention efforts as of late. He cited the importance of being proactive in preparing for COVID-19.
"If we start planning this after a case of COVID-19 being identified, we're in trouble and it's too late. We have to be prepared now."
In speaking to the News-Optimist, North Battleford city manager Randy Patrick was saying much the same thing.
“We want to make sure the priority services that the city has are ready to go at any time and are kept in proper running order as best we can, because you can have a fair number of people sick at any one time or having to care for family members in a pandemic situation,” said Patrick.
He emphasized that in a pandemic situation, they will follow the province’s lead in a support role. “We will work with them in whatever they need from us. Our goal is to keep people internally, our own staff – we try and keep them safe as much as possible. But also you would want to try to minimize the chance the public gets whatever virus is going around at city facilities.”
Patrick described it best as “continuity planning” for such a situation, to make sure staff are utilized as best as possible and services maintained as best as possible.
“We’re just trying to be ready,” Patrick said.
