Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in lockdown following 5 positive COVID-19 cases

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, which governs eight northern Saskatchewan communities, is under full lockdown after positive COVID-19 cases.

According to Chief Peter Beatty, two of its eight communities have had a positive case of COVID-19. That includes two in the Southend area and another three in Deschambault Lake.

Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, said five more cases are being investigated, meaning the total could rise to 11 — or even more as the investigations continue.

Beatty said three of the cases in Deschambault Lake were originally identified to be linked to the Full Gospel Prince Albert outbreak, announced by the Saskatchewan Health Authority on Wednesday. The first individual was at one of the meetings, Beatty said.

“It’s really disappointing about what happened in Prince Albert. The health guidelines were not followed … (If they were), I don’t think we’d be in the situation we’re in. It is what it is. We’ll deal with it on our end,” he said.

A total of six COVID-19 cases were initially linked to the outbreak. Southend did have one COVID-19 case in the spring, according to Beatty.

Beatty said the First Nation is using the rapid testing in its major communities, which gives them a result in four to five minutes for the coronavirus.

“That can be backed up through a lab as well. We’re able to test people fairly quickly if we have enough of the testing cartridges that (are) needed,” Beatty said.

Beatty had a message for those in his community as well.

“We’re in this full lockdown situation to try and get a handle on the spread of the virus … It’s for the health and safety of our Cree Nation members and also for others. (We’re) all in it together. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can still get COVID-19,” he explained.

The RCMP issued a release Thursday afternoon saying it was restricting access to its detachment buildings in Deschambault Lake, Southend and Pelican Narrows in support of the community lockdown guidelines.

The front counter service will be open for emergency services only.

The operational communication centres are open 24/7 and remain fully functional for all emergency calls.