Health Officials in Saskatchewan are urging residents to get tested for COVID-19 if you're showing minor symptoms, or if you believe you may have been exposed. At the same time they're asking Saskatchewan residents to check their prejudice at the door when it comes to COVID-19.

"What we've seen in the province over the past number of weeks is a decrease in testing numbers. We're working hard to understand why that's the case," Dr. Julie Kryzanowski said at a briefing. "We believe these decreased testing numbers reflect decreased levels of respiratory virus that are circulating. That reflects the effectiveness of the public health measure that are in place. At the same time we also know there maybe barriers to testing, and one of those barriers is stigma."

Dr. Kryzanowski said health officials are aware that some individuals may not be seeking testing because of stigma. There is concern about individuals in smaller rural communities having trouble with anonymity. Residents do not want to be flagged as a 'carrier.' There is also concerns that whole communities are facing stigma, like La Loche, as positive cases are recorded.

"Stigma does not just affect individuals but whole communities. This is part of what we have to be actively looking at and proactively addressing. Getting the message out that testing is important not just for individuals, but it does help us understand how the virus is being transmitted in our communities. That is really important to understanding the effectiveness of our public health measures."

Once again, the management and control of the virus falls on individual shoulders. It's our responsibility to practice safe social distancing, to avoid large crowds, and now to seek testing and encourage our friends, family, and neighbors to seek testing. It's also our responsibility to stamp out the stigma, to let everyone know that we will not be made pariahs if COVID-19 positive. Just we need to social distance and isolate if positive, doesn't mean we need to be rude.

"We should be celebrating those that are heading into the testing centres. They are doing their part. Please don't stigmatize them. It might be other people today, but it could be any of us tomorrow."