On April 20, 2020, a civilian employee at the La Loche RCMP Detachment was tested for COVID-19 after displaying symptoms. The employee immediately self-isolated as per the direction of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Yesterday, April 23, 2020, the employee advised the RCMP their test results were positive. The employee will continue to follow the direction of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and remain in self-isolation.
Six additional employees – two civilian employees and four police officers - at the La Loche RCMP Detachment have been ordered to self-isolate while waiting for testing.
Residents in the La Loche RCMP Detachment area will see some new faces in their communities over the next few weeks while our seven employees self-isolate. While the faces may be new, the service the communities receive will remain the same.
The Saskatchewan RCMP is following all directions given by the Saskatchewan Health Authority in relation to this positive test result. This includes thoroughly disinfecting the La Loche Detachment, police vehicles and other areas as required.
We understand people who live in smaller, remote communities are worried about the spread of COVID-19. We share this concern.
Over the past 6 weeks, the Saskatchewan RCMP has been preparing for exactly this type of situation and we have been putting in place measures to ensure our officers and employees continue responding to calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week right across the province.
We are committed to keeping the public informed. We of course respect our employees' right to privacy and will not be identifying them publicly or providing ongoing health updates.
Residents in the communities we serve should know that the Saskatchewan RCMP is well prepared. While there may be new RCMP officers in your community and front-counter services have been suspended, the Saskatchewan RCMP is still on the job, responding to calls, working around the clock to keep our Province safe.