'Hitting us really hard': Sask. First Nation moves into lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreak
A growing COVID-19 outbreak in a northern Saskatchewan First Nation with where vaccination rates remain low has prompted the community to move into a lockdown.
Black Lake First Nation will remain in lockdown until Aug. 5, a letter from chief and council shared with community members said.
"We have had Black Lake community members medevaced south because of this virus," said the letter which outlines a series of public health measures and closures.
During the lockdown there will be strictly limited access to facilities, travel is discouraged and community members are being advised to stay at home.
Residents have been provided with colour-coded signs to display to let neighbours know how they are doing and if assistance is required.
CASES SPIKE
According to an Athabasca Health Authority (AHA) report obtained by CTV News, there were 28 active cases in the region it serves as of Monday.
That's up from just a single recorded active case seven days earlier on July 13.
Nearly 95 per cent of all active cases in the area served by the AHA — which includes Fond Du Lac, Uranium City and Stony Rapids — have been identified in Black Lake, according to the report. An outbreak was declared in the community on July 23.
According to the AHA document, just 1 in 7 people are fully vaccinated in Black Lake, a community of more than 1,600.
At least six of the cases have resulted from the highly contagious Delta variant COVID-19 strain, the report said.
While the majority of cases are in adults, some of the cases have been identified in children, according to the report.
"It is noteworthy to say that some positive cases have been fully vaccinated," AHA primary healthcare executive director Taiwo Olubanwo, writes in the report.
While it is possible to develop COVID-19 if fully vaccinated, the chances of developing severe illness or dying is greatly reduced.
"Noticeably is the extremely low rate of the number of individuals who have been fully vaccinated with COVID-19 in Black Lake compared to other AHA communities," Olubanwo writes.
In a message to the community included in the report, Olubanwo applauds the move to restrict travel as part of Black Lake's lockdown measures.
The letter from the First Nation's leadership encourages community members to get vaccinated, follow health protocols and self-quarantine if diagnosed with COVID-19.
"The fourth wave is hitting of this COVID-19 has caught us off guard … and is hitting us really hard right now. If we work hard and follow the guidelines, then we will beat it."
The letter also said northern leaders are working on getting food and cleaning supplies delivered from the south.
Correction
A previous version listed the total number of active COVID-19 cases in the AHA region as the total number of cases for Black Lake.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.