COVID-19 outbreak declared at K2 potash mine, exposure issued in 3 other communities

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at the K2 potash mine in Esterhazy, and a warning was issued about an exposure at the Sturgeon Lake First Nation.

The outbreak at Mosaic Company's K2 potash mine was declared yesterday. No further details were posted by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

A company spokesperson said two surface level employees tested positive for COVID-19 and are now self-isolating. Any employee who may have come into contact with either positive case was contacted and are also self-isolating.

The spokesperson said operations were unaffected by the two positive COVID-19 tests.

The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority warned of a possible COVID-19 exposure at the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation health centre on Saturday. 

The health authority's release said people who visited the centre between Oct. 11 and Oct. 19 were required to self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days from the last day they visited the clinic. 

People who develop COVID-19 symptoms were asked to self-isolate and contact the 811 health line to arrange for testing. Testing was to be prioritized for people identified as close contacts.

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared by the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation last week due to a rising number of positive cases.

Sturgeon Lake's health centre is currently closed for deep cleaning and will reopen on Monday at 9 a.m.

For emergency services, people were asked to contact:

• (306) 961-1501 – Health Director.
• (306) 961-7375 — Senior Health Nurse.
• (306) 930-6231 – Medical Transportation.
• (306) 981-3353 – Mental Health.

On Sunday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority also declared an outbreak at Marion M. Graham Collegiate, the second COVID-19 outbreak at a school in Saskatoon.

Exposures reported in 3 additional communities

Exposures were reported in Saskatoon, Regina and La Ronge on Sunday afternoon. 

Saskatoon

• Oct. 15:
  • Dakota Dunes Casino, 204 Dakota Dunes Way, Whitecap, Sask., between 5 and 9:30 p.m.
• Oct. 16:
  • ​Aria, 10-210 Slimmon Rd., from 10:30 p.m. to closing on morning of Oct. 17
  • Earls Saskatoon, 610 2nd Ave. N., from 4:15 to 9:30 p.m.
  • Congress Beer House, 15 2nd Ave. S., from 8 to 11 p.m.
• Oct. 17:
  • Co-op Grocery Store, The Centre Mall, 3310 8th St. E., from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon)
• Oct 18:
  • Lawson Motion Fitness, 134 Primrose Dr. from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Oct. 19:
  • ​Lawson Motion Fitness, 134 Primrose Dr. from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Co-op Grocery Store, The Centre Mall, 3310 8th St. E., from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• ​Oct. 20:
  • ​Lawson Motion Fitness, 134 Primrose Dr. from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
  • Earls Saskatoon, 610 2nd Ave. N., from 4:30 to 9 p.m.
• ​Oct 21:
  • Lawson Motion Fitness, 134 Primrose Dr. from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Regina

• Oct. 15:
  • Co-op Food Store, 650 Parliament Ave., from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 17: ​
  • KFC, 621 Victoria Ave. E., from 3 to 8:30 p.m.
• Oct. 19:
  • Co-op Food Store, 4650 Parliament Ave., from 9 to 10 a.m.
  • Shell Gas Station, 5005 Sherwood Dr., from 4 to 11 p.m.
  • Walmart South, 4500 Gordon Rd., from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
  • City of Regina Transit, Route 4 Southbound, from 10:55 to 11:40 p.m.
• ​Oct. 20:
  • Walmart East, 2150 Prince of Wales Dr., from 2 to 2:20 p.m.
  • Costco Wholesale, 2110 Anaquod Rd., from 4:30 to 4:50 p​​.m.
  • Shell Gas Station, 4665 Albert St., from 5 to 11 p.m.
  • Walmart South, 4500 Gordon Rd., from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
• Oct. 21: 
  • Shell Gas Station, 4665 Albert St., from 5 to 11 p.m.

In La Ronge, an potential exposure was reported at the La Ronge Lutheran Fellowship Church, at 921 Boardman St. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Oct. 18.