The mystery of the "unknown district" COVID-19 case in the Northern Health Region (NHR) has been solved. The case is the same as the case reported Sept. 8 in a worker at Northern Lights Manor and involves someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in Flin Flon, but lives in Saskatchewan.
A spokesperson for the NHR confirmed the case was found in a Saskatchewan resident, but was initially reported in Manitoba totals. In a statement to The Reminder sent Sept. 9, the spokesperson said the NHR would continue to have a hand in monitoring the case.
"The case in question is a Saskatchewan resident and will be included in Saskatchewan’s data," reads the update from the NHR.
"Northern Health Region’s Public Health is working with Saskatchewan Health as we continue to manage this case."
The NHR has confirmed that the person is a Saskatchewan resident and not a visitor or traveller to the area, also confirming that the "unknown district" case and the case connected to the Northern Lights Manor are the same case.
Communities in Saskatchewan near Flin Flon, including Creighton, Denare Beach, Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay and others, are located in the province's far north region and in the Far North East 2 health district, but often utilize NHR medical and health services. Residents of Saskatchewan communities near Flin Flon can access COVID-19 testing in Flin Flon at the testing station in Flin Flon General Hospital.
No new cases were announced in either the NHR or the Far North East 2 region Sept. 9, with only one new case reported that day in all of Saskatchewan, coming from the Saskatoon region.
Since the case is in an out-of-province resident, the case will likely be removed from Manitoba's provincial case totals as early as Sept. 10, with the case likely to also be added to Saskatchewan's provincial totals.
The Reminder will not publish further information about the person who tested positive, including their name or other personal details. Anyone who may have been in contact with the person has been notified by public health and contact tracing is complete according to the NHR, including at the manor. The NHR confirmed Sept. 8 that the person did not work at the manor while being possibly infectious. Visits to the manor have been restricted temporarily while the case can be investigated.
Manitoba reported another 16 new cases of COVID-19 Sept. 9, with all but two coming from the Winnipeg area. No new cases were reported in the north.
