The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is alerting the public of an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Oxbow area and is urging residents to follow public health measures and personal safety precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
In order to keep everyone in SHA facilities and care homes safe during this time, family presence/visitation has been limited to Level 3 only in the Galloway Health Centre.
"The decision to restrict family presence is not taken lightly," the SHA said. "These measures are in place to keep you, your loved ones, and health care workers safe. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking the public for their support and cooperation in order to contain the spread of the virus.
Level 3 family presence restrictions are for end-of-life with the provision that care teams can support one essential family/support person to safely assist with care if needed (i.e. for self-care, mobility, nutrition and behavioural needs). This must be approved by the care team and includes outbreak situations.
No other visitors are allowed into the specified facility at this time and these limitations will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence.
Family members and support people who are permitted must undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility. This includes a temperature check and questionnaire. The family member or support person will be required to perform hand hygiene (hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer) when entering and leaving the facility or home and when entering and leaving the patient's or resident’s room.
Family members and support people will be required to wear a medical grade mask while inside the facility or home and potentially additional personal protective equipment if required. Family members and support people are not permitted to wait in waiting rooms or other common areas.
Oxbow has had a number of COVID-19 cases in recent days.
The South East Cornerstone Public School Division and Oxbow Prairie Horizons School (OPHS) are working closely with the Ministry of Health.
In an email, the school division said there have been four individuals who attend OPHS who were infectious for a period of time while in the building. At this point the division has not been informed that transmission has occurred in the school, but it could be a possibility.
No further information was available on whether it was students or staff who tested positive, or if it was a combination of the two.
One class has been moved to remote learning at this time and another two classes are being reviewed as possible close contacts by the Ministry of Health. A number of students and staff have been identified as close contacts and are isolating.
“As we work through the day with health, we will communicate any future direction with families,” Cornerstone said in the email. “The safety of students and staff has and will continue to be paramount.”
The Expressway Family Centre in Oxbow announced Wednesday morning it was taking precautionary measures and pausing its in-person programming. This includes drop-in, pre-school and pre-kindergarten classes.
The Town of Oxbow said in a Facebook post that town council has decided to close down public buildings for a period of time to minimize the risk of spread. This includes the town office and the hall. The Rural Municipality of Enniskillen has announced they are closing their office, too.
If anyone needs to conduct any business at the town office, they are asked to call in advance to discuss it first.
