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
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.
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.
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.
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.
NEW 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire': A crowd pleaser that turns it up to 11
Hot on the heels of last year's 'Godzilla Minus One' comes 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,' the first ever Academy Award winner in the giant reptile's decades-long film career.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.