COVID - 19 Outbreak Declared At Social Housing Highrise

Another COVID - 19 outbreak has been declared by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) in Moose Jaw and this time it is a social housing complex.

The SHA has declared an outbreak for Victoria Towers. Located at 123 Fairford St. East Victoria Towers is a 154 suite facility operated by the Moose Jaw Housing Authority (MJHA).

The MJHA, since the latest round of restrictions were initiated in November 2020, has taken measures to follow the Provincial Health Order including closing public gathering areas, compulsory wearing of masks in public areas and having any visitors entering the buildings to sign in and out.

The declaration of an outbreak does not necessarily mean there is any threat to the general public, but an outbreak is declared when two or more people contract the virus outside of their home at one time or over a period of time.

It is unknown if more than two people have contracted COVID - 19 in this outbreak.

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.

At the present time the wearing of non-medical face masks that cover both the mouth and nose as well as a minimum two metre spacing between individuals are two of the mandatory orders issued by the Province.

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