May 14, 2021

COVID-19 BULLETIN #68

STAY AT HOME ORDER LIFTED

Tansi!

Update on Active Cases

There are currently 9 active cases in the community plus 3 people have recovered since the first case was confirmed on April 28th, for a total of 12 cases so far. These past few weeks have been exhausting for our Pandemic Response Team, our Health team, our staff and Council. We know people need supplies and some people want to go their camps. Therefore, we have decided to lift the Stay at Home Order but NO VISITING with ANYONE outside your household is allowed. Everyone must be very, very cautious.

Pandemic Third Wave Worsening in Manitoba

Yesterday, Manitoba recorded the highest number of cases in a single day during the pandemic. Today, the Manitoba Deputy Chief Public Health Officer indicated that the number of cases in Manitoba has already exceeded the most Extreme Worst Case Scenario in their modelling and this situation is expected to continue for a number of weeks. This means EVERYONE must limit ALL contacts – assume anyone you come into contact with could have COVID-19.

Isolation Critical

If you are told to isolate you MUST do that for the safety of all of us. The situation remains serious. The pandemic is not over. We are trying to balance all of the risks to keep our community as safe and healthy as possible. You can help us protect our children and our community by following the restrictions and getting vaccinated.

Some Restrictions Remain in Effect

The other restrictions are as follows:

  • All NCN offices will remain closed except for the NCN Government Office, Nursing Station, Wellness Centre public health and nursing services, and EMS but they will be closed to the public except for emergencies;
  • ATEC, Arena, the Wellness Centre fitness Centre, the VLT Centre, the Beer Vendor, and home confectionaries remain closed;
  • Schools will remain closed until at least Tuesday, May 24th (after the long weekend);
  • Three Rivers Store, OT Gas and the Thompson Distribution Centre are again open to the public – capacity limits, masking and physical distancing rules all remain in effect;
  • Shopping trips to Thompson will be allowed to resume on Tuesday, May 18th – they will be limited to 40 vehicles daily, up to two people per household, four per vehicle and prior authorization must be obtained from the Pandemic Response Team;
  • Funerals are limited to 10 immediate family only plus the officiants and choir – processions will be allowed as long as everyone remains in their vehicles at all times and they must NOT get out at the church – no-one from outside the community will be allowed to attend and the procession will be escorted by the FNSOs;
  • Starting Tuesday, May 18th, hunting, overnight camping and harvesting will be allowed with prior approval from the Pandemic Response Team;
  • Commuters will be allowed into the community with authorization from the Pandemic Response Team
  • All trips into or out of the community for medical appointments, and medical emergencies must be approved by the Nurse in Charge;
  • Any person who goes to Winnipeg for any reason will be required to isolate for 14 days upon their return to the community – all other persons who leave the community and stay overnight anywhere else will be required to isolate at their residence pending review by the public health team;
  • EVERYONE WHO IS TOLD TO ISOLATE MUST ISOLATE UNTIL PUBLIC HEALTH TELLS THEM THEY DO NOT NEED TO ISOLATE. THIS IS CRITICAL TO PREVENT COMMUNITY SPREAD.
  • All requests from persons who previously signed themselves out of the community and wish to return are suspended until further notice.

Vaccination Update

  • Vaccinations will continue over the weekend at the Wellness Centre from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm;
  • Youth ages 12 to 17 will be able to get the Pfizer vaccine in the community soon – the details are being finalized and we will provide an update as soon as it becomes available;
  • The Pfizer vaccine is another mRNA vaccine like the Moderna vaccine – we encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible – all studies have shown these vaccines are safe and effective.

Ekosani!