(submitted photo/Saskatchewan Health Authority)

By Nicole Reis

LA LOCHE NURSES

La Loche nurses commend Far North for resilience, dedication in combating COVID-19 outbreak

Jun 3, 2020 | 2:32 PM

As each day continues, COVID-19 recoveries in La Loche are beginning to improve.

Registered Nurse and Public Health Nurse, Chrissy Munro told meadowlakeNOW the people in La Loche were outstanding in their will to succeed against the community COVID-19 outbreak which started April 15.

“It feels like things are getting a little more back to normal. People are definitely taking care,” she said. “We’re seeing social distancing happen, people are wearing masks, and people know what to do when something happens.”

According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Munro has been a nurse since 2004, working in Regina. Her work areas have included long-term care, labour and birth, and most recently public health. When she was asked if she would be willing to volunteer in La Loche, to assist with the outbreak, she knew it was something she wanted to do. She kissed her husband and two children goodbye and headed North.

Munro has only had two days off since she arrived in La Loche on May 3. She’s been at the COVID-19 emergency drive-thru testing location, testing out in the community, and contact tracing.

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“We’re showing up in yellow hazmat gowns and it caused a bit of stigma in the community so we tried to do our best,” she said. “From then until now, it’s really calmed down.”

Munro said she and fellow nurses experienced so much gratitude from residents and community staff for their efforts.

As northerners may have experienced negative treatment and stigma over the course of the pandemic, Munro said it’s important for everyone to recognize the hard work of each individual living in La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation. She said the majority of community residents were open to following the public health order to combat the outbreak.

“A majority of the population have multiple generations and fragile people in their home and they dont want [the virus] in their home as much as anyone else does,” she said. “To be honest, these people have pulled together – and look how fast.”

The nurses were originally expected to stay until September, but the hard work and positive results have led to some already leaving.

Another nurse, KaSandra Kopytko arrived May 2 to work as a mobile testing team organizer. She was deployed from her role as a licensed practical nurse/operating room technician in the Regina General Hospital and Pasqua Hospital Operating Rooms.

“I found out at noon on May 2 that I was deployed to La Loche, and I had started driving by 2 p.m.,” said KaSandra.

She said her experience in the community was life-changing.

Every single person she has interacted with on her deployment – from teammates to community locals – impacted her life, she said.

“I have always loved the North and have always wanted to work in a northern nursing role, but my title as an LPN has limited my practice in that. When this opportunity came up, I knew I had to do it and I was so very excited to join the team in La Loche,” she said.

Kopytko said the experience led to personal and professional growth.

“I have been out in the community testing, monitoring and educating, as well as at the desk learning new administrative skills. As I work every day, 12-hour days, I thought I would be getting tired, burnt out and ineffective, but the energy I have working up here has surprised me as well. I think it has to do with the people I’m working with and the people in the community of La Loche. Everyone has been so kind, loving and welcoming. The Dene people of the community have laughed with me and at me, we’ve cried together and complained together. It’s been a remarkable and valuable experience,” she said.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722