The Northern store in Portage La Loche, SK, keeps customers orders pre-packed and ready to pick-up to minimize social contact and curb the spread of COVID-19.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has certainly challenged and affected us all, changing our lives and routines. One community that has faced the worst of the novel virus is Saskatchewan’s Portage La Loche – one of the hardest hit areas in all of Saskatchewan.

By early May, a total of 117 cases in La Loche and 16 cases in nearby Clearwater River Dene Nation (CRDN) signaled the closure of the whole community, closing down businesses and barring outside visitors.

The Northern store had to close down twice due to store associates testing positive for COVID-19. Every employee was tested for the virus and the entire store was sanitized multiple times. However, being an essential business, the store continued to operate and service the customers with phenomenal everyday outputs.

Despite the difficulties, the community members also realized it was not too late fight the virus through the power of togetherness and unity. The community got behind the Mayor, Chief, and Saskatchewan Health, following guidelines and educating themselves on how to better tackle COVID-19. Northern store staff persisted through the isolated intervals for the welfare of the community.

“We all knew someone who had COVID-19, we all knew what we could do to prevent it, and the path to recovery began. There have been many challenges, opportunities and growth that has come along with COVID-19 in our community; all the new learnings, many hours of work, much empathy, and running our business in ways we never thought,” shared Portage La Loche Store Manager Jana Wilson.

As of July 28, La Loche had a total of 224 positive cases of COVID-19 with 217 recoveries and, sadly, five deaths. The CRDN had a total of 63 positive total cases, all since recovered. Only a combined three cases remain active in both regions.

However, the community has stayed resilient throughout the crisis and the anxiety-filled days, and will continue to do so. The community has for the most part adjusted to this “new norm” of everyday life – wearing masks in public, staying six feet apart, and restricting physical contact – in the hopes of keeping everyone safe and finding a more comfortable tomorrow.