The lockdown in Sucker River is starting at 6 p.m. Thursday. (Devin Daniel Bernatchez/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

restrictions

Sucker River on lockdown as two coronavirus cases emerge

Oct 15, 2020 | 5:16 PM

Sucker River will be placed on lockdown as of 6 p.m. Thursday to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The announcement by Coun. Devin Bernatchez was made after the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) released a public notice today about two new confirmed cases in Sucker River. Residents were given the afternoon to leave the community for supplies as there is no local grocery store and only people working with essential services will be allowed in and out.

larongeNOW reached out to Bernatchez for an interview, but was forwarded to Chief Tammy Cook-Searson for comment.

“Each community decides on their own on what kind of restrictions are in place and what they will do. For example, in Little Red, we have seven confirmed cases of COVID-19. Two of them have recovered,” she said. “The other five cases are not connected to the first two, but the band councillors from that community chose not to close the roads for their own reasons, so it all depends on the communities on what they want to do.”

During the lockdown, Cook-Searson said all public facilities will be cleaned and contact tracing will occur to stop the spread of the virus. If the number of cases grow in Sucker River, which has a population of 432 residents, then Jeannie Bird Clinic will set up a testing site like the one established in Stanley Mission.

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In addition to Little Red and Sucker River, the LLRIB also has two on-reserve cases in La Ronge and six in Stanley Mission. Stanley Mission, which has a population of approximately 2,000 residents, has been on a lockdown and 10 p.m. curfew since Oct. 9. Cook-Searson mentioned it’s unknown how long the restrictions will last.

“For example with Stanley and the lockdown, they will look to see if there is an increase in COVID cases, or if the number stays the same and we are able to stabilize, that’s when they will start removing restrictions,” she said. “If there are more cases, then the restrictions will stay longer.”

According to the notice issued by the LLRIB, any residents who believe they may have been in close contact to someone who tested positive must stay home and self-isolate. If a person is deemed to be a close contact but their test comes back negative, they will still need to self-isolate for 14 days from the point of last contact.

Those wanting to be tested for coronavirus can contact HealthLine at 811 and mental health support is available for those experiencing stress and anxiety at 1-306-425-9518.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno