COVID-19 outbreak declared in Wiikwemkoong on Manitoulin Island
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, the First Nation announced Wednesday.
In a social media post, officials said so far, six cases have been confirmed and there are two other probable cases.
"At this time, we are able to confirm that there are three separate clusters," said the post, signed by Ogimaa Duke Peltier.
"As we are in an official outbreak and there is the possibility of communal spread, we ask that all our community members stay at home and only leave for essential purposes."
Residents are also being asked to designate one person per household for essential travel for things like food, attending medical appointments or picking up prescriptions.
"We also advise that there will be no gatherings and for everyone to stay within their household bubble," the post said.
Anyone who doesn't live in the community is being asked to not travel to the area until the outbreak ends.
Anyone who wants to get tested for the disease is asked to contact the Wiikwemkoong Health Centre and book an appointment. There will be drive-thru testing Friday at the WUT Arena, and Saturday at the Blue Med Tent outside the band office.
Anyone needing mental health support can call 705-348-1937.
"We are all in this together, and we will get through it together," the post concluded.
Because of the outbreak, the Wikwemikong Nursing Home is no longer allowing in-person visits until at least Aug. 18.
"Residents will only be allowed to leave the facility for essential purposes such as doctor appointments," the home said in a social media post.
"We encourage families to make use of video and telephone calls to visit with family members at this time."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.