NESKANTAGA FIRST NATION DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER 2 POSITIVE CASES ARE CONFIRMED IN THE COMMUNITY
MEDIA ADVISORY
Thursday, May 13, 2021 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NESKANTAGA FIRST NATION DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER 2 POSITIVE CASES ARE CONFIRMED IN THE COMMUNITY
Neskantaga First Nation – Neskantaga First Nation (NFN) Council today declared a State of Emergency (SOE) in response to a COVID-19 positive case first confirmed in the community by the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) on May 12, 2021 and 2 subsequent confirmed cases on May 13, 2021. Contact tracing has determined that the case originated from an outside contractor who was recently in the First Nation.
On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, the community initiated more stringent COVID-19 protocols including a shelter in place order, amongst other restrictions. This will be in place until further notice.
This is the first time the community has had positive cases since the global pandemic began in March of 2020. Community-wide COVID-19 testing will be taking place in the near future. Neskantaga First Nation is hopeful that the high uptake of COVID-19 vaccination will play a positive role in curbing the spread in the community but remain concerned about children under the age of 18 years old were not part of this vaccination process.
Chief Wayne Moonias says that one of the biggest challenges in the ability to mount a response is lack of internal human and other resources and has called for outside government and humanitarian assistance to address the outbreak.
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For more information, please contact Chris Moonias, Advisor at: chris.moonias@neskantaga.com at (807) 629-1877 or Carol Audet, Matawa Communications Manager at: caudet@matawa.on.ca or (807) 632-9663.