Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

I would like to know what other efforts in terms of monitoring any more increased cases in other regions and communities are being done. Is there a strategy for that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, every health authority, every health centre, every authority has proper guidelines about how to monitor, prevent and follow up any infection possibilities. They do regular testing and take samples and make sure they are sent and tested. All of the trends are monitored by health care staff in every community and region and it is guided by a public health officer, Dr. Kandola’s office. So Members and the public should be assured that there is very stringent and aggressive monitoring going on and that all proper steps are taken. We understand now that there are some clusters in communities and we are engaged in a publicity campaign to let every individual know about what steps they can take to make sure that they don’t contract this and if they do, it can be treated easily by early detection. We do everything we can to prevent any further spread.

Just in terms of the strategy in the other regions, does that mean the Health and Social Services department has contacted the leadership, the band councils, the village councils, the Metis councils? I think part of the press conference they are talking about is it’s a community approach that’s got to be taken in this, especially if there are increased numbers in some of those communities. Does the strategy include advising the local leadership, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

The communication is to the front-line staff and the regional health authorities. They will be going out to the communities to do a publicity campaign. I will make sure that they make contact with leadership to ask for their assistance, very much like we did with H1N1.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me comfort that we have strategies in the other regions and communities. In terms of monitoring, is that something they are doing with the health centres and the community health nurse? They are aware of the symptoms to watch for in local community members? Thank you.

Yes, every health centre and staff at the health centre and hospitals are aware of what symptoms to watch for and what precautions to take to make sure that this does not get contracted or spread once contacted. So, yes, there is a very close monitoring going on of all infection cases in all health centres. Dr. Kandola’s office keeps very close touch in that they know exactly what numbers and what the trends are and fighting aggressively on this situation. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.