Increased COVID-19 exposure risk in St. Louis Area

COVID-19 is everywhere in Saskatchewan. It is the responsibility of every person to strictly adhere to all public health orders and measures, including:

• Keep 2 metres away from others when in public and wear a mask.
• Limit gatherings and ensure gathering sizes do not exceed public health orders.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth or mask with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are unwell; seek health care services when you help.
• Regularly monitor your health for any COVID-19 symptoms.

When an individual tests positive for COVID-19, a contact investigation immediately follows. If health officials determine an increased risk of exposure to the public, they direct that a public service announcement (PSA) be issued requiring impacted individuals to self-isolate. The PSA is not a commentary on a location or a business and its practices. Reasonable efforts are made to inform the business or location in advance of public notification. 

Due to an number of cases linked to events in the community and subsequent spread to household members and other close contacts there is an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 for anyone who may have attended any outdoor recreational events, suppers, poker rallies, or poker card parties outside their family bubble since Christmas. 

Individuals who were at any of the above-mentioned events should immediately self-isolate, and call HealthLine 811, their physician or nurse practitioner for testing.  Be aware you may develop symptoms from two to 14 days following exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. 

• If you were advised by someone from the above events that they are COVID-19 positive AND you were in contact with them for more than 15 minutes, within 6 feet, isolate immediately, and call HealthLine 811, your physician or nurse practitioner for testing.
• Even if you do not experience symptoms, but have had any interaction with the above events, please consider testing, as asymptomatic cases can cause further spread in the community.

It is important to note the following:

• COVID-19 is transmitted through coughing and sneezing (droplet transmission), and by touching surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
• Memorize and recognize the symptoms:  fever, cough, headache, muscle and/or joint aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children), loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Stay home if you have symptoms and monitor yourself.
• Get tested: Learn more about testing and regularly take the online self-assessment at Saskatchewan.ca/COVID19. Testing for symptomatic people may be delayed until their symptoms have been present for 48 hours to minimize the number of false negative tests. Call HealthLine 811 or your physician for a referral.
• Care for yourself and others: Anyone at any age can contract COVID-19. Be kind to each other and to health-care workers.
• Download the COVID-19 Alert APP: The Health Canada COVID Alert app is available to all Saskatchewan residents at no cost in the Apple and Google Play app store. The app is another tool available to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by letting people know of possible exposures without sharing any personal information. For more information, visit the COVID-19 Apps webpage.