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Due to rising numbers of influenza cases, the chief and council on Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation near Duck Lake have postponed all community dinners and Christmas parties until the new year or when the flu season subsides.
“Leadership is aware of multiple hospitalizations and the loss of a BOCN matriarch related to the virus,” read a post on the chief and council’s Facebook page.
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“While we know many were looking forward to these gatherings, the health and safety of our members must remain our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and continued efforts to keep our community safe. We encourage all BOCN members to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.”
The virus has also benched some hockey teams across the province after players fell sick. The Humboldt Broncos in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League cancelled their a game on Tuesday night against the Battlefords North Stars due to an influenza outbreak. A game between the La Ronge Ice Wolves and Nipawin Hawks was also postponed.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s list of active respiratory outbreaks in the province show the majority of them occurring in long-term care facilities. Influenza A, which is one of two strains the World Health Organization predicted would be most likely to circulate, was detected most fequently, but it’s not the only virus people should be concerned about.
Rhinovirus, which is the ‘common cold,’ COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus are also circulating, and the symptoms overlap significantly.
Dr. Khami Chokani, a Prince Albert-based medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said cases have risen by close to 20 per cent over the last three weeks.
“The respiratory viruses are really marching through, and that is a concern – a concern in that those who haven’t had their flu shots or the COVID shots should really, really get it,” said Chokani.
It takes two weeks for the vaccine to be protective in the body, but Chokani said it’s not too late in the flu season to receive it. The latest Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program Situation Report said 13 per cent of Saskatchewan population is vaccinated against COVID-19, and 19 per cent of residents are vaccinated against influenza.
According to the latest Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report, the population that has been most affected by the flu so far has been those under the age of 19. Chokani said it’s a similar situation in Saskatchewan, where school absenteeism across the province has increased to over 12 per cent.
He said anyone who is symptomatic may have a difficult decision to make when it comes to their own Christmas celebrations.
“Please, don’t go,” he said. “I think it’s really, really important that we all, as humans, think about the other person as one of your loved ones. And what would you do in order to protect them? If you’re coughing, don’t go.”
The newest influenza activity report for the province will be released at the end of the week, but Chokani said he can already see that hospitalizations in the region are increasing.
“Wash your hands. If you’re coughing, put on a mask… and, keep your distance,” he said.
