The COVID-19 outbreak at Hatchet Lake Dene Nation continues to be a concern for the province.
The latest numbers released by Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority report 104 active cases in the far northeast zone where Hatchet Lake is situated. This was as of 5 p.m. on July 11.
At a news conference Monday for the signing of a new health memorandum of understanding for Lloydminster, Minister of Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley was asked about the provincial response to the situation at Hatchet Lake.
Hindley said they are 鈥渨atching the situation at Hatchet Lake very closely鈥� and noted there was a briefing that morning with Minister of Health Paul Merriman and their officials.
He said they were working closely with people on the ground in Hatchet Lake in terms of what they require for support. He also said officials are focusing on immunization and ensuring vaccines are available to rural and remote areas of the province, including the North.
鈥淭his is an area of concern for us, and this is why we need to continue to have our guard up and make sure that we鈥檙e there on the ground, having officials there providing support as much as we can and making sure that we do whatever we need to do to provide support for the people in Hatchet Lake,鈥� Hindley said. 鈥淭heir health and safety is paramount for this government.鈥�
Hindley said he wasn鈥檛 aware of any requests to his office for additional supports or resources, although he said there could have been requests to Merriman directly.
He said they remained in constant contact with the local leadership in Hatchet Lake and will 鈥減rovide supports wherever we can and as much as requested.鈥�
