BBQS, parties behind risk warning in communities

The sharing of food and drinks at birthday parties and outdoor barbecues led to the “broad transmission” of COVID-19 that prompted a warning in seven Saskatchewan communities.

Saskatchewan Health Authority spokesman Doug Dahl said in an email on Friday that multiple gatherings prompted a risk warning on Wednesday for Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Maple Creek, Kindersley, Rosetown, Outlook and Davidson.

The warning referred to “large outdoor gatherings.” People from the named communities were involved, Dahl said, although only one official outbreak has been declared for a “recreational party” in Maple Creek.

The number of confirmed cases linked to that outbreak rose to 40 on Thursday from 21 a day earlier. Further testing is needed to confirm which variant of concern is identified, but most variant cases in Saskatchewan have been the B1.1.1.7 (U.K.) strain.

“Each gathering was slightly different so it would have been difficult to describe each one,” Dahl's email said about the vagueness of the alert.

“We know that some were outdoor BBQS, while others were birthday parties. In each instance, food and drinks were shared, which led to broad transmission.”

Dahl said he had no other details to share about the events, including where they took place.

He pointed to the prevailing public health order that limits outdoor gatherings to 10 people. The order states that people from different households must remain two metres apart and the sharing of food and drink is prohibited.

“Outdoors is generally safer than indoors, but this does not mean there is no risk,” Dahl added.

He said the town of Davidson is still included in the alert. A town official told Postmedia on Thursday that Davidson had been included by mistake.

Swift Current Mayor Al Bridal said Thursday he's heard of two parties involving young people.

A post on the Town of Maple Creek website Thursday said the cases in that community came from “one non-household mass gathering event.”