Covid-19 hits several institutions in Yorkton

Outbreaks at Yorkton Regional Health Centre, Yorkton Regional High School; Yorkton RCMP detachment closing for two week

September 28, 2020, 8:09 pm

​The Saskat​​​chewan Health Authority is advising of a cluster of COVID-19 cases in the Yorkton area and has declared an outbreak in the Yorkton Regional Health Centre as of September 27. The source of the outbreak in the hospital appears to be community transmission. Initial findings indicate contacts share a common source of exposure at a local fitness facility. All health care workers who have been identified as close contacts with the confirmed cases are being tested as the contact investigation continues.

Services remain available at the Yo​rkton Regional Health Centre and the public is reminded to access services at Yorkton Regional Health Centre when required.

Due to the increased number of pe​​ople who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Yorkton, visitation will be limited in the Yorkton Regional Health Centre and the Yorkton and District Nursing Home. This means family members and/or support people will only be permitted for compassionate reasons. No other visitors are allowed into the hospital or long term care home at this time and these enhanced restrictions will remain in place until further notice. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking families and the public for their support and co-operation in order to contain the spread of the virus. Outdoor visitation will continue where it is deemed safe to do so.

Yorkton Regional High School closed, classes move online
On Sunday, September 27, 2020, the Saskatchewan Health Authority advised Good Spirit School Division of positive cases of COVID-19 in the community of Yorkton which has impacted individuals at the Yorkton Regional High School. Four individuals associated with the school have tested positive and the source of infection is believed to be from community spread, and while school transmission has not been identified, parents of affected classrooms will be notified and public health has begun its contract tracing process.

To minimize further risk of transmission within the school and community, GSSD consulted with Dr. Chhetri, Local Medical Health Officer (LMHO) and Rob Currie, Deputy Minister of Education.

"Together, we have made the difficult decision to immediately transition to full mandatory remote learning for all students at the Yorkton Regional High School out of an abundance of caution. The YRHS staff have been preparing for remote learning since the spring and are confident that the move to an alternate instructional model will not impact learning," said Quintin Robertson, Director of Education with Good Spirit School Division.

"As a result, classes for YRHS Grade 9 to 12 students will be cancelled on Monday, September 28 to allow staff to finalize preparations for the change in instructional delivery. Mandatory remote classes will begin on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at your regularly scheduled time, and continue through to Friday, October 16, 2020. Students will tentatively return to school on Monday, October 19, 2020 based on the advice of the Local Medical Health Officer."

As an extra precaution, the GSSD Facility team will fully disinfect the entire Yorkton Regional High School building prior to students returning to school.

Yorkton RCMP detachment to temporarily close
On September 27, a front-line officer at the Yorkton RCMP Detachment also tested positive for COVID-19. The officer immediately self-isolated as per the direction of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). The officer will continue to follow the direction of the SHA and remain in self-isolation until the officer is cleared by local health authorities.

All employees who have been in close contact with the officer – 14 officers and six civilian employees – are currently under mandatory self-isolation as directed by the SHA and are being tested for COVID-19.

Based on the recommendation of the SHA, the Yorkton RCMP Detachment will temporarily close its doors to the general public for non-emergency matters for two weeks starting on Monday, September 28, 2020 until Monday, October 12, 2020. The decision was made in consultation with the SHA to support the health of the public and their frontline officers.

The Yorkton RCMP detachment will continue to answer all phone calls from the public.