Health authority warns rule-breakers in Fond du Lac will cause more COVID infections

Officials in northern Saskatchewan arewarning that residents of a remote community gripped by an outbreakof COVID-19 are putting people at risk by flouting public healthprotocols.

The Athabasca Health Authority says people who may have beenexposed to COVID-19 including some who are experiencing symptoms in Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation have refused to get tested.

It says some are even hosting parties.

The health authority says in a Facebook post that those who havebeen directed to self-isolate because they tested positive forCOVID-19 or had close contact with someone who did aren't followingthose orders.

Many of these people, the post continues, are frequenting theNorthern Store which it says puts everyone at risk, including thecommunity's nurses and paramedics.

A little over two weeks ago, the fly-in community of about 1,000people had no cases, but by Sunday was reporting 63 cases, 52 ofwhich were active.

For weeks there hasn't been a consistent supply of running waterfor cleaning and hand washing in Fond du Lac due to mechanical issueswith the water treatment plant, and some health officials have saidthat may have contributed to the spread of the virus.

"There continues to be house parties in the community with manypeople attending. We are aware of a party that had over 50 peopleattend this past week," Sunday's post by the Athabasca HealthAuthority stated.

"This event has the potential to be a super spreader within thecommunity."

The post does note that some people have recovered, but it sayspeople need to follow restrictions for at least three more weeks tobring infections down to zero.

"This will take a commitment from everyone in the community notjust some of you," it said.

The authority estimated last week that more than two-thirds ofthe active cases are tied to the community's school, which hasclosed.

The community said on Facebook Sunday that 325 people in Fond duLac approximately a third of the population -- are currentlyconsidered close contacts of someone with COVID-19.

Saskatchewan reported 236 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. Noadditional deaths were reported, which means the provincial totalremained at 33.