Tansi! As expected the numbers in Manitoba are starting to climb. We now have 36 cases. So far none are in northern Manitoba. The first case of a child under the age of 10 has been reported along with a number of young people in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. It is important to be aware that while Elders and those with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of dying, this virus is affecting EVERY AGE GROUP.
Investigations are underway to determine if the latest cases are travel related or if the virus is now spreading in the community. In the meantime, non-essential travel is restricted. People who returned from out of country travel and do not isolate for 14 days will be subject to fines of up to $750,000 and 6 months in jail. It is shown they went out and caused someone else to get COVID-19 they could be fined up to $1,000,000 and 3 years in jail. All restrictions are to be taken very seriously.
Testing Expanded
Testing is being expanded throughout Manitoba to include the following groups of people at risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 and who have respiratory symptoms:
- Health-care workers;
- Individuals who live/work in a remote or isolated community like NCN;
- Those who live/work in a group setting, such as a correctional facility, shelter, long- term care or residential facility, or a remote work camp;
- People who travelled outside of Manitoba;
- Close contacts of a confirmed case; and
- Lab workers who have worked with COVID-19 tests will continue to be tested.
We have received reports that people are misusing access to their camps to store alcohol and drugs and to congregate in larger groups. We ask for your co-operation to stop these activities. Alcohol, drugs and contact with groups of people who may have been in contact with someone who was exposed to the virus is not worth the risk to you or to the rest of us. This virus is deadly.
Medical Appointment Restrictions
Effective immediately, anyone who has a medical appointment outside the community must have permission to attend and will only be allowed to travel to the appointment in NCN’s Medical Van. Anyone who refuses to follow this directive and leaves in their own vehicle they will not be allowed back into the community. We must take difficult steps to protect our community.
People all over the world including in Canada are dying from this virus. The number of deaths in Canada is increasing. Today, one Manitoban is in critical condition in hospital with this virus. We can expect more so we must do our part. I am very concerned that if this virus gets into our community it could wipe out a significant number of us regardless of our age.
Additional Assistance
Yesterday, the Canadian Parliament passed emergency legislation to provide additional benefits to help people deal with the impacts of this virus on the economy and our communities. The Canada Child Benefit will increase starting in May. EI will be easier to access and people who get sick will be able to access EI benefits. We will know more in the coming days about what this will mean for NCN. In the meantime, we are trying to keep our people employed so that they can help you during this crisis.
We are providing as much factual information through our website and deliveries in the community. Please read our STATE of EMERGENCY Questions and Answers. Two have already been posted to the website.
Please continue to Self-Isolate. A new document was posted today on what Self-Isolating means for us in our community.
If you have questions, call one of the numbers we have made available or fill in the online form and we will try to post another set of questions and answers.
We need everyone, and I mean everyone, to come together to help us keep our community safe.
Ekosani!
COVID-19 related phone numbers are (204) 679-0179 and (204) 679-0279