Long-term care residents and nurses will be among the first to receive the vaccine. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

pandemic

‘It’s left Regina’: Moderna vaccine headed to La Ronge

Jan 7, 2021 | 10:14 AM

Minister of Health Paul Merriman announced during a press conference Wednesday the Moderna vaccine is headed to La Ronge and other areas in the Far North East.

“As identified today, the Far North East is going to get their Moderna allocation,” he said. “It’s left Regina. It is on its way up there.”

He made the comment following a question about concerns from tri-community leadership about why the region wasn’t included in the first allotment of the Moderna vaccine across northern Saskatchewan earlier this week. The letter was signed by Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk, La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak and Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson.

Baschuk believes the letter sent to Merriman was taken into consideration when deciding how soon the vaccine would come to the Far North East. She welcomes the news and noted the vaccine should arrive in the region within the next 72 hours.

“I think it shows that they recognize the error that was originally made when excluding our eastern region, and the importance of consulting with our local medical health officers in moving forward,” she said. “I am committed to ensuring our community members receive the same level of care and consideration from our government as the rest of the province.”

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With six active cases in Air Ronge and 59 cases on the surround reserve, Baschuk is also questioning why an outbreak wasn’t also declared in the village and La Ronge. She said each of the three communities have contact with one another and, given the close proximity, all three should be declared an outbreak zone.

Baschuk also wants to remind residents to adhere to all public health measures by sticking to your own household both at home and outside.

“The outdoor gathering stating a max of 10 has provided a loophole and people are taking advantage of it, which is creating great concern to us leaders and our health officials,” she said. “We know that people are exhausted, but we need to band together as the end is getting closer. We need people to be compliant.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno