Daily COVID numbers a major challenge for SHA

Feb 2, 2021 | 12:46 PM

Providing daily information about COVID-19 cases has become a major challenge for the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

That’s according to Integrated Northern Health Vice-President Andrew McLetchie, who said there is a much larger rate of community transmission than compared to six months ago and the overall number of cases is higher as well.

“The other reasoning behind this is our teams have identified that the daily numbers, as much as people are interested in them, I think it gives the perception of knowing what’s happening are more important to the response than actually kind of having a general sense of how the pandemic is moving.”

The last time COVID-19 data for Air Ronge and La Ronge was released was Jan. 20, which showed two active cases in Air Ronge and 19 in La Ronge. The two communities have gone from receiving daily updates to weekly to once every 15 days.

“Mayor Baschuk and I have sent emails, texts and delivered phone calls daily to get this information for our residents without any communication back,” La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak said. “We are advocating and pushing for information on the daily and will provide the information as soon as we can.”

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Although reporting of numbers have taken a back seat recently, McLetchie noted medical health officers (MHO) are committed to connecting with communities to ensure they understand the actions they can take to respond to the pandemic.

“In a sense, we have all the information in hand and we’re focusing on the individuals who have tested positive and, as communities see multiple cases of outbreaks, the MHOs and public health team will be connecting with the communities as needed to ensure they have the information necessary to support the local response,” he said.

As for why the Lac La Ronge Indian Band is able to continue providing daily updates, McLetchie explained it’s done through a separate process than what the Saskatchewan Health Authority provides. He noted there seems to be a misunderstanding that the information is coming from the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority when it’s believed to be coming from the band’s local public health team.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

by Derek Cornet

Daily COVID numbers a major challenge for SHA

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