From the SHA:
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is alerting the public of an increased risk of COVID-19 variants of concern in Lloydminster and area, and is strongly urging residents to strictly adhere to all current public health order and measures, including:
Keep two metres away from others when in public and wear a mask.
Avoid gatherings.
Keep to your household bubble. Household gatherings remain a primary driver of transmission.
Avoid unnecessary travel.
If you are able to work from home, work from home at this time. If you cannot, ensure that you are following all the guidelines in your workplace. Do not share any food or drink in the workplace, even in break rooms.
If you develop any symptoms, stay home, and get tested. Testing is an important way to detect the COVID-19 virus early and stop the spread.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth or mask with unwashed hands.
When you are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine, get one. All vaccines are safe and effective, including against variants. Current vaccine information can be found at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine.
COVID-19 variants of concern are highly contagious, transmitting quickly within the community and can result in more severe disease and should be considered dangerous. The increased spread of COVID-19 and its variants could result in more illness, hospitalizations and deaths, with many of those falling ill younger than previously seen during the pandemic.
COVID-19 and its variants are transmitted through coughing and sneezing (droplet transmission), and by touching surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Memorize and recognize the symptoms:Â fever, cough, headache, muscle and/or joint aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children), loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
Additional information on variants of concern is available online along with all case numbers, including those cases confirmed as variants of concern.
For testing, residents in the City of Lloydminster can dial 1-877-800-0002 (instead of 811) to access HealthLine 811. This will help ensure direct contact to Saskatchewan’s HealthLine 811 regardless of provincial location. Residents may also contact their physician for a referral or visit your local drive-thru testing site. Testing locations can be found on at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 under Testing Information.
All members of the public are also reminded of the following:
Care for yourself and others: Anyone at any age can contract COVID-19. Be kind to each other and to health-care workers.
Download the COVID-19 Alert APP: The Health Canada COVID Alert app is available to all Saskatchewan and Alberta residents at no cost in the Apple and Google Play app store. The app is another tool available to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by letting people know of possible exposures without sharing any personal information. For more information, visit the COVID-19 Apps webpage.
