Health officials say isolation units key to curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Kashechewan
COVID-19 case numbers have dropped somewhat in the past few days in the James Bay and Hudson Bay coast communities in Ontario's far north, but there are still more than 220 cases, about half of them in Kashechewan.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured the First Nations again on Friday that help is on the way.
"The Armed Forces will be in the community until at least the end of this month, to help with everything from isolation sites to delivering food," said Trudeau.
On Wednesday, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller listed all the supports the government was sending to the communities dealing with increasing cases. But Weeneebayko Area Health Authority officials said the isolation units are not ready.
Lynne Innes, the president and chief executive officer for the Authority, said she knows of 10 isolation units being built in Kashechewan. To control the virus, she said sick people need to be isolated safely.
"It’s not uncommon for 18-plus people to be in one home with three bedrooms and one bathroom," Innes said. "So if they’re positive and they’re in Kashechewan, they remain in their home and it varies from homes of 10 to 20 to 25 (people)."
Innes said she is not sure what is causing the delay in getting people into isolation.
"The First Nations have called on a lot of supports and it’s just waiting for the material to arrive and the manpower to assist to help get the resources put in place for the community," she said.
In response to the situation on the coast, the Porcupine Health Unit is asking people throughout its jurisdiction to continue following COVID health rules.
“We are interconnected," said Dr. Lianne Catton, medical officer of health for the Porcupine Health Unit. "We are stronger because of that interconnection, but that means that we have that shared sense of responsibility to contain our numbers, to contain the Delta variant, to keep out numbers down to protect everyone."
Innes said 88 children under the age of 12 are currently battling the UK variant, and 10 people have had to be transferred to other health centres for treatment.
Catton said reopening in the Porcupine Health Unit area will depend on case numbers and vaccination rates.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It’s discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.