In a Facebook post, the Athabasca Health Authority says, close contacts and people who are sick with symptoms of Covid-19 in Fond-du-Lac are refusing to be tested. People who have been directed to self-isolate because they have tested positive with Covid-19 or have had close contact with Covid-19 are not self-isolating; they are out in the public.

As well, people who are sick with symptoms of Covid-19 are not self-isolating at home before being tested, and those who are self-isolating are allowing visitors into their homes and exposing them to the virus. On top of all that, the Authority says there continues to be house parties in the community with many people attending and, in one case this week, with over 50 people attending.

The authority says these activities are putting everyone at risk including nurses and paramedics.

Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger says it’s time for the provincial government to take immediate action to support people impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak in Fond-du-Lac.

He wants the SaskParty government to address food security issues in the community to ensure there is enough to eat and people can safely stay home. Belanger would like to see more PPE transported into Fond-du Lac, support for businesses and workers, with particular attention to the high cost of air transportation. He says additional staffing and resources are necessary and Belanger is also calling for exploring options for long term repayment or relief from SaskPower Bills.

As of Monday morning, there were 46 active cases of the virus in the community.