Kashechewan in crisis as COVID-19 spreads among young people, overwhelming community resources
A humanitarian crisis is quickly overwhelming the remote community of Kashechewan, a northern Ontario First Nation on the coast of James Bay.
In a community of 1,800 people, 114 have the disease and many more are awaiting test results, the community said in a news release Friday.
"Community leaders and workers who are not in isolation are quickly becoming exhausted and burnt out," the release said.
"Chief Leo Friday and his councillors are working 13-hour days, trying to support the sick and those who are in isolation, by doing wellness checks and delivering a limited supply of food, sanitation supplies and PPE. A similar story is unfolding in other remote communities along James Bay."
Friday afternoon, the Porcupine Health Unit reported 38 new cases in its coverage area, including 29 cases in the James Bay and Hudson Bay region, eight cases in Timmins and one case in the area of Cochrane, Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls.
In Kashechewan, a total of 77 of the positive cases are young people aged 17 or under.
"Most adults have been previously vaccinated, but now the COVID-19 is rapidly spreading through the younger population," the release said.
"Children as young as four months have been infected. As of last night, eight community members had been airlifted to southern Ontario hospitals for treatment."
Chief Friday said the crisis could have been avoided if their concerns had been addressed.
“For years we have been asking for help to address our housing and infrastructure needs," Friday said in the release.
"We have some three-bedroom homes with 18 people living in them and others with four family groups. We are in the middle of an opioid addiction crisis, as well. We are told time and again by the government to submit proposals for support, but the proposals all have been rejected or delayed.”
A major issue is the lack of places for people to self-isolate. Officials have put up tents to house people who need to isolate on the high school grounds, "but these people will still need to share washroom and cooking facilities, leading to more spread of the virus," the release said.
Kashechewan council has asked the Canadian military to bring supplies and help build isolation centres, but the request has not been approved.
"A teleconference yesterday with Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, left the chief without any firm commitments of concrete help," the release said.
“We have started to receive offers of help from organizations like the Canadian Red Cross, but it takes time to get those workers in place," Wilbert Wesley, Mushkegowuk Council’s manager of emergency services, said in the release.
"We need to ensure that they are fully vaccinated, tested and have a place to stay.”
In addition, Wesley said the only large cargo plane in the James Bay area is scheduled for a four-week maintenance overhaul, leaving remote communities dependant on small planes that will not be able to deliver larger shipment of equipment or supplies.
Friday said residents want to know the government is going to help them.
“We need help, but we also need to feel that Canada has not forgotten us,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.