The northern medical health officers for the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority confirmed Saturday there is currently contact tracing investigation underway following the identification of new cases of COVID-19 in the northern part of the province. The cases are linked to travel between northwest Saskatchewan and Alberta.
There have been reports of a number of COVID-19 cases identified at an oil sands facility north of Fort McMurray. B.C.'s Interior Health Region has identified the facility as the Kearl Lake oil sands project.
The SHA said because there are close connections between communities that involve regular interprovincial travel for work and other reasons, there is a potential for community transmission with continued non-essential travel between communities across the border. As a result, regional Medical Health Officers are advising against all non-essential travel between northwest Saskatchewan and northern Alberta effective immediately.
The health authority also strongly recommending that effective immediately, all northern Saskatchewan residents self-isolate for fourteen days upon return from northern Alberta. During that period of self-isolation they should monitor themselves for any symptoms of COVID-19, which include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills, diminished sense of smell, body aches, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. Those who develop symptoms should call HealthLine 811 or their community health centre for evaluation and advice.
Written with files from Castanet.
