COVID cases up in Meadow Lake, Watrous

As Saskatchewan, overall, has seen a slow decline in daily case numbers, Meadow Lake and Watrous have experienced numerous outbreaks and high case numbers.

Since the beginning of February, the provincial government has reported 13 outbreaks in Meadow Lake, nine of which were in workplaces that ranged from retail stores to a bank to a fast-food restaurant. An outbreak stemming from a funeral was also listed.

Meadow Lake, a city of around 8,288 residents, is located in the far north west zone of the province. Since Feb. 24, that region has seen active case numbers grow from 117 to 179.

On Feb. 25, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued a warning of increased potential for COVID-19 exposure in the community and restricted visitor access to the community's hospital and long-term care home.

“It doesn't give one a really warm, fuzzy feeling. I know everyone is tired of COVID and the restrictions,” Merlin Seymour, mayor of Meadow Lake, said in an interview.

He said it is hard to know exactly what is driving high case numbers in the community, but he believes private gatherings being held against the rules are likely a contributor.

He urged people in his community to consider the consequences of breaking public health orders.

“We have to be cognizant of our surroundings, follow the rules set out by Dr. Shahab,” Seymour said, noting some businesses have temporarily shut their doors to customers because of the high case numbers.

“The higher case numbers are causing grief to the small businesses in Meadow Lake, which is not good ... We just have to hang tough and follow the rules.”

Watrous has experienced four outbreaks in little more than a week.

The outbreaks were all in a variety of workplaces — a construction site, a spin studio, the local Co-op and a meat shop.

The town of around 2,000 people is located in the central east zone of the province, which has seen active case numbers rise from 63 to 104 since Feb. 24.

On Feb. 22, the SHA issued a warning about an increased presence of COVID -19 in the community and announced it was restricting visitor access to Manitou Lodge, the community's care home.

In an earlier interview with Postmedia, Watrous Mayor John Gunderson said the town closed its library and other public facilities on Feb. 22 because of the high case numbers.