Saddle Lake officials close school as COVID infections rise

In-person classes have been cancelled for at least three weeks in Saddle Lake due to rising COVID-19 cases, the Saddle Lake Education Authority announced Sunday night.

There are 18 active cases of the virus reported Sunday with 40 recoveries, as new infections have continued since the initial case back in early September.

Band officials recommend safety precautions from early in the pandemic, including staying at home and travelling for essential purposes, wearing masks in public, and avoiding social gatherings.

“Due to the current situation and the increased number of positive cases of COVID in our community the Saddle Lake Emergency Management Team with support of Leadership will be doing closing the programs and schools to in-person service from Monday, November 2 until Friday, November 20.

They said classes will continue as SLEA will go into scenario four of their re-entry plan, which is a hybrid of remote learning with online and hardcopy lesson packages.

Last Wednesday, the Saddle Lake Health Care Centre closed due to an outbreak, with six cases that have since been linked to the SLHCC, and limited services are expected as self-isolating staff will work remotely.

No new appointments will be booked at this time.

They said in a release they continue to work with federal health authorities.