Twitter Photo: @NeskantagaFN
Three area First Nations are dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.
The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority is reporting 165 active cases in New Osnaburgh, 113 positives in Fort Hope and 77 in Pikangikum.
The three communities account for 355 of the 427 active cases in the SLFNHA district.
Indigenous Services Canada says it’s working closely with community leadership, respective Tribal Councils, the province, the Canadian Armed Forces, and local health officials to ensure they all receive necessary supports to manage the cases and reduce the chances of further spread.
A statement from ISC to CKDR News states a number of resources have been deployed to each community in response to the recent outbreaks, including additional funding for New Osnaburgh and Fort Hope:
Supports for Eabametoong First Nation:
-As of February 10, ISC health human resources (HHR) in community include four registered nurses, one public health nurse and one paramedic in the community. The SLFNHA community physician arrived in the community on February 8. The Matawa Tribal Council (Matawa) has deployed surge-capacity nurses into community to help with testing.
-The community’s Pandemic Team and SLFNHA are leading Covid-19 testing and case and contact management efforts.
-ISC has confirmed that the community has adequate supplies of rapid antigen tests and PPE and additional N95 respirators are on order.
-Matawa is assisting with the provision of essential supplies such as food, baby supplies, over-the-counter medications, and cleaning supplies. They are also providing transportation for supplies, personnel, and testing equipment.
-To ensure the mental health needs of the community are being met, the following supports are in place as of February 11, 2022:
-The Matawa mental wellness team has deployed three mental health counsellors into community and two traditional healers are available virtually as needed.
-Through SLFNHA and with funding from ISC, the NODIN Mental Health Team has deployed two mental health counsellors into community and has one mental health worker providing phone support as needed.
-NAN Hope is available for 24/7 phone and virtual support.
-On January 27, 2022, ISC provided the community with $389K in formula-based funding for immediate public health supports identified by the community to respond to the current outbreak.
-Since March 2020, ISC has provided the Eabametoong First Nation with over $9.8 million to support the community’s COVID-19 preparation, planning and response initiatives. This includes $1,850,906 to support the procurement, transportation, and installation, of 4 three-bedroom isolation units.
Supports for Pikangikum First Nation:
-As of February 9, ISC HHR in community include nine registered nurses, one nurse practitioner, one public health nurse and a primary care paramedic are in the community.
-ISC is supporting the administration of vaccines and has confirmed that the community has adequate supplies of antigen tests and PPE in the nursing station.
-SLFNHA is leading case and contact management in the community.
-The Independent First Nation Alliance (IFNA), with funding from ISC, supported case and contact management and testing through the deployment of nurses and support staff into the community. IFNA is providing an Incident Command Structure to coordinate on-the-ground response efforts.
-The IFNA Mental Wellness Team has been providing phone support to ensure that the community’s mental health needs are met, and has one mental health worker on the ground until February 13, 2022. On February 14, the need for on-site mental health support will be reassessed. NAN Hope is also available for 24/7 phone and virtual support.
-Since March 2020, ISC has provided the Pikangikum First Nation with over $16.5 million to support the community’s COVID-19 preparation, planning and response initiatives.
-ISC is working closely with the community and health partners to identify additional resources that are needed to support the community’s response efforts to their current outbreak.
Supports for Mishkeegogaming First Nation:
-As of February 9, 2022, ISC HHR in community include five registered nurses, one public health nurse, and one advanced care paramedic.
-SLFNHA is supporting case and contact management, and have provided the community with public health guidance and educational materials on mental wellness. One mental health worker is in community to provide support, and additional mental health supports are available by phone through NODIN. Harm reduction kits and Naloxone kits are also available through SLFNHA. NAN Hope is also available for 24/7 phone and virtual mental health support.
-The Pandemic Team is coordinating and delivering food hampers, over-the-counter medications, Rapid Antigen Tests, and public health information packages to all households in the community. Cultural and tradition healing methods and medicines are being offered by the Pandemic Team Elder to complement the other medical supports available.
-On February 9, 2022, ISC approved community funding request for $696K to address their current COVID-19 outbreak. This funding will provide perimeter security, food security and traditional harvesting, cleaning supplies, senior and cultural supports, mental health supports, community workers, transportation and administration.
-Since March 2020, ISC has provided Mishkeegogaming First Nation with $6,686,549.18 in funding to support their COVID-19 planning, preparation and response initiatives.
Today the community of Neskantaga supported wood and some traditional food to a neighbouring community that is facing a covid-19 outbreak Eabemetoong First Nation (Fort Hope). Eabemetoong has been in a lockdown since February 6. Prayers to that community and others communities. pic.twitter.com/i6OvgjFELE
— Neskantaga First Nation (@NeskantagaFN) February 13, 2022
