By Sheldon Spackman

Team Effort

Maskwacis sees significant drop in COVID cases

Mar 1, 2021 | 8:48 PM

Officials with Maskwacis Health Services (MHS) are pointing to numerous factors in a significant drop of active COVID-19 cases in the community from the start of this year.

Back on January 10, Maskwacis had 645 active cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths attributed to the virus.

Today (March 1), Maskwacis Health Services (MHS) reported just 20 active cases and 1,849 recoveries, for a total of 1,869 cases to-date. Four community members are currently in hospital with COVID-19, while 16 deaths have been reported.

Bonny Graham, Program Manager, Community Health, Diabetes, & Health Promotion for MHS, says the lower case numbers reflect the current trend across the province.

“If there is less infection province-wide, it is logical to have less spread of infection in our community,” she explains.

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“Another factor may be because Maskwacis schools remained closed until the end of January and carefully planned and resumed classroom education with cohorts and limited staffing. They have done excellent work at the prevention and management of COVID-19 in the schools.”

Graham says Maskwacis Education Schools Commission (MESC) and MHS work closely to prevent the spread of the virus.

“The most vulnerable, our Elders have followed public health guidelines extremely well by staying home and limiting visitors. This was evident at the recent immunization clinics where the Elders came to have their Moderna vaccine. They were so happy to see each other, even at a distance.”

Graham says some Elders were overheard saying that they hadn’t seen each other since June of last year, as they hadn’t travelled anywhere.

“They, as well as much of the community wear masks everywhere,” adds Graham. “Even the hitchhikers can be seen wearing facemasks on their trek to local towns. We have shared information via social media, Hawk Radio, community newsletters, and brochures to homes in the community numerous times.”

Graham says MHS has partnered with Maskwacis Leadership, the Directors of Emergency Management (DEM’s), and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) teams who have supported and shared the important messaging about how to prevent and manage COVID-19.

“And maybe the Creator played a role by sending a few weeks of extreme cold weather that kept many people at home, which would decrease risk of being exposed to or passing on COVID,” she suggests.

Graham says that like everyone else, Maskwacis residents miss life the way it was pre-pandemic.

“They miss family gatherings, cultural events like round dances and pow-wows, and of course having the children involved in sports. Everyone is anxiously awaiting to go back to normal,” she admits.

In a step towards “normal life,” Graham notes the receipt of 500 doses of vaccines on Jan. 16, designated for community Elders.

“All 500 doses were given with slightly more than 50 per cent of the Elders taking the vaccine. With the remaining vaccines, essential workers, including healthcare workers were offered the remaining doses.”

Graham says MHS is now offering the second dose for those who received their first vaccine between January 18 and February 12.

She feels the vaccine roll out has gone well for them so far.

“It is the true definition of the slogan that we are all in this together.”

Related: Maskwacis continues to struggle with COVID-19 outbreak