Outbreak Declared At Doctor's Office

In what is something that can effect any business and institution another outbreak has been declared in Moose Jaw and this time it is at a local physician’s office.

On Monday, January 25th, an outbreak was declared at Dr. Ramadan's Office in Moose Jaw.

It needs to be noted that declaring an outbreak does not necessarily mean that the location has people unknown who are unknowingly carrying the virus but instead it qualifies as an outbreak according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s definition. No advisory cautioning unknown people who had the potential to infect others and to immediately quarantine has been issued.

An outbreak is defined by the SHA when two or more people test positive for COVID‐19 and are all linked to a specific non-household setting or event within a specified time period. If one person contracts COVID - 19 in a non-household setting it is termed a suspected outbreak.

An outbreak declaration is NOT necessarily an indicator of risk to the public.

A declaration of an outbreak does not mean any facility was not properly following the Province’s guidelines. At the present time the Province has been experiencing record breaking confirmed cases of COVID - 19 in what is described as the second wave of the virus.

It is unknown if patients or staff at the clinic contracted the virus.

It does need to be noted that the SHA has seemingly made exceptions to this definition. When three cases of COVID - 19 were announced on November 22nd in a single form letter provided by the SHA at Peacock Collegiate that no outbreak was declared at that high school.

The Province continues to recommend people take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID - 19 by proper physical distancing, proper handwashing, wearing masks in public places and when a two meter distance cannot be maintained between others and staying home when you are sick, even if the symptoms are mild.

The Province also encourages those feeling ill to call the Healthline at 811.

There are two active outbreaks in the city at the present time.