Contact tracing finds more COVID cases in Saddle Lake

Contact tracing in Saddle Lake has brought the number of known COVID-19 cases in the community up to eight as of Sunday night.

In a video posted to Facebook Sept. 10, Director of Emergency Management Derek Houle said, “Throughout the next few days, the contact tracing team will be phoning or making house visits. We strongly urge all community members to cooperate by providing the necessary information and follow the recommended 14 days of self-isolation, possibly longer if you develop symptoms.”

In the video, Houle also asked that anyone who attended a funeral on Sept. 1 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. get themselves tested.

“One of the people who was at the funeral may have been in contact with people. So we’re recommending that all people who were at that funeral who have not been contacted still go for testing,” said Houle.

Saddle Lake Cree Nation entered a 14-day lockdown on Sept. 7. Stores remain open with masking requirements, but all other non-essential services are shut down until Sept. 21 and community members are asked to limit contacts.

“[The healthcare team] are putting themselves at risk, they are doing work that is done by professionals for a reason. We want you to continue to realize that they are human beings and they deserve the same safety, care, consideration, and respect that you would give any other person. When they contact you please remember they are doing a function they are trained in doing and that they are doing to the best of their ability to support you in your healthcare,” said Houle.

Indigenous Services Canada has not yet responded to a request for comment on the developing situation.

Elsewhere in the Lakeland, Smoky Lake County has six cases, the County of St. Paul has three cases, the M.D. of Bonnyville has three cases, the City of Cold Lake has one case, and the County of Two Hills has two cases.