Northern Sask. First Nation enters lockdown after COVID-19 outbreak
The English River First Nation emergency management team on Thursday declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the northern Saskatchewan community of Wapachewunak.
Nine cases have been confirmed, with some being a variant of concern, the team said in a statement on Facebook.
"This is making the situation far more critical because as we are seeing the virus is spreading easier and faster. It also hits suddenly and can hit younger people harder. We are trying to get this situation contained to prevent others from getting sick. We are strongly requesting that if you are a close contact to a positive case that for the sake of the community you stay isolated. We do NOT want to see anyone succumb to this virus," the statement said.
"When there are multiple contacts as in this situation our ability to meet the needs of all those impacted can be a daunting task. We ask that you take this COVID-19 pandemic seriously."
The team enacted a 48-hour lockdown in order for health staff to complete contact tracing.
- The band office is closed and the health centre is open only for emergencies
- All gatherings and events are postponed, including food sales
- No visiting or inter-household visits
- A curfew is in effect from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Road monitoring and travel restrictions are in effect for two weeks
The team says COVID-19 is active in other communities in the region as well: 10 in La Loche; five or fewer in Beauval, Ile-a-la-Crosse, and Buffalo Narrows; and one each in Birch Narrows Dene Nation/Turnor Lake and Canoe Lake Cree Nation.
30% VACCINATION RATE IN LA LOCHE
The Village of La Loche is reporting a 29.3 per cent COVID-19 vaccination rate, according to the community’s Facebook page.
That’s less than the provincial figure of 69 per cent of those 18 and older who have received a first dose.
“IF, we want to gather again (Treaty Days, Yanesa Days, Etc) and open up like the rest of the province, please get vaccinated,” the village’s post said.
All COVID-19 restrictions are slated to be removed across the province if the 70 per cent threshold is reached.
The community is part of the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority. The authority’s medical health officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka said some people are afraid of the vaccine’s side effects or believe myths about the vaccine.
He hopes those concerns will be addressed in one-on-one meetings within the communities.
Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, a medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said COVID-19 vaccination rates vary between communities in northern Saskatchewan.
“Some communities have very high rates, while others are lower than current targets. Overall we are now seeing an increase in coverage rates for first and second doses in the north. The SHA and our partners work with community leaders to help identify barriers and answer questions regarding vaccine safety and efficacy.
“The reasons for lower uptake can also be different based on challenges of access and ability for individuals to attend clinics. This is why initiatives such as door-to-door campaigns can be an effective way to both improve access to the vaccine, and provide an opportunity to answer questions about the vaccines and why vaccination is important for protecting themselves, their family and their community.
"The ability of health care workers to provide this information in an environment that is more private, and in a language that people prefer, can really make a difference.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.