{"id":249171,"date":"2020-03-19T20:52:31","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T00:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=249171"},"modified":"2020-03-19T20:52:31","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T00:52:31","slug":"head-of-saskatchewan-medical-group-says-he-got-covid-19-at-doctors-bonspiel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2020\/03\/19\/head-of-saskatchewan-medical-group-says-he-got-covid-19-at-doctors-bonspiel\/","title":{"rendered":"Head of Saskatchewan medical group says he got COVID-19 at doctors’ bonspiel"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Dr. Allan Woo, president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association, said in a letter to members that he tested positive for the virus Wednesday night. (Pexels photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

REGINA \u2014 An investigation is underway in at least two provinces after a Saskatchewan doctor who attended a curling bonspiel in Edmonton tested positive for COVID-19.<\/p>\n

Dr. Allan Woo, president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association, said in a letter to members that he tested positive for the virus Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI attended a curling bonspiel held March 11-14 in Edmonton,\u201d he said in the letter Thursday. \u201cThis bonspiel is an annual event that usually attracts 50-60 physicians from Western Canada.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe I contracted the COVID-19 virus at this bonspiel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woo is one of four new presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the total in the province to 20.<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Health said three of the new infections are related to travel, with the other being a close contact of a previously reported case.<\/p>\n

Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said Woo gave permission to confirm the positive test.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeyond that, I would not like to discuss any particular details of any case,\u201d he told reporters in Regina on Thursday. \u201cHaving said that, if we know that there is more than one case related to an event, we will be disclosing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shahab said officials have confirmed that a number of doctors attended the event in Edmonton.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis investigation involves two provinces at least,\u201d he said. \u201cAll of the information is being collected and communicated to all the provinces from where people may have come to that event.<\/p>\n

\u201cDetails are sought about where each of the participants were, did certain people sit together as a group and mix more than others, and based on that a determination will be made shortly \u2014 in a day or two \u2014 does this involve all people who attended?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shahab said all of the participants have been alerted about the positive tests, meaning they are required to be in self-isolation until further details are known.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does not mean everyone will be identified as a close contact,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said she was made aware of the positive tests on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do know there were approximately 72 curlers. We do not know if they were all in the same place at the same time,\u201d she said. \u201cThen there was a banquet that had about 45 attendees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hinshaw said the person that Dr. Woo could have contracted COVID-19 from may have travelled to Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re making sure that all of those who attended know that they have to self-isolate for 14 days,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are taking this very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Saskatchewan Medical Association said it doesn’t know how many physicians from the province attended the event.<\/p>\n

It’s also not yet known how many doctors in Alberta are in isolation and their absence might impact the health-care system during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Doctors Manitoba said in an email that it’s aware of three doctors from Manitoba who participated in the bonspiel.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll three are self-isolating,\u201d said the statement. \u201cPublic health officials would assess those present and provide advice about testing and self-isolation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woo said in his letter that his diagnosis is a reminder that physicians are not invincible.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe risks of this pandemic are far too real,\u201d he wrote. \u201cI hope my personal situation serves as a signal for all health-care workers, and others, to be vigilant about their health.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone needs to take precautions and self-monitor for any symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 With files from Kelly Geraldine Malone in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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