COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: What you need to know – CBC.ca

The number of active cases of COVID-19 in First Nations and Inuit communities continues on an overall downward trend.

According to the latest data from Indigenous Services Canada, there were 906 active cases of COVID-19reported in First Nations as of Dec. 7. This is down from the 1,132 active cases that were reported on Nov.15.

In the week ending Dec.4, First Nations in British Columbiarecorded the highest number of newly reportedcases among the provinces with 65, with First Nations in Ontario recording 26 and First Nations in Quebec recording 22 cases.

According to the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, there were no new cases as of Dec. 7 bringing the totalactive cases to 42 in Inuit communities in northern Quebec.

Since the pandemic began, there have been 50,966 cases in First Nations communities. To date there have been 544 deaths, 2,369 total hospitalizations, and 49,516 recovered cases.

Total cases in First Nations communities per region reported as of Dec. 7:

British Columbia: 6,172

Alberta: 14,295

Saskatchewan: 13,703

Manitoba: 11,379

Ontario: 3,925

Quebec: 1,179

Atlantic: 313

In Sandy Bay First Nation, about 130kilometres north of Winnipeg, the chief and council have been dealing with an ongoing outbreak.

"We have had at least one new case every day since the end of September," said Randal Roulette, a Sandy Bay band councillor.

Roulette said most of the cases have been linked to the delta variant andthe local school has been shut down since September.

Between the end of September and Dec. 6, the community has had 178 total cases and three deaths.

Roulette said the community has implemented strict stay-at-home measures for people who are confirmed to have COVID-19 as well as anyone who has been identified as a close contact.

He said it has been difficult for some of the larger households where people aretesting positive days apart, causing prolonged isolation periods for the tenants.

"If we have a house of nine people, then they don't all become positive at the same time, so then the isolation kind of starts like a chain reaction where they can be isolating for over a month sometimes."

A total of 891,972 vaccine doses have been administered to individuals aged 12 years and older in 687 First Nations and Inuit communities as of Dec. 1. Of that number, 383,602 were second doses.

Several regions have also begun offering third doses of the vaccine on First Nations or to elders over a specific age, however no data on third doses is available through Indigenous Services Canada to date.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

New or worsening cough.

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Temperature equal to or over 38 C.

Feeling feverish.

Chills.

Fatigue or weakness.

Muscle or body aches.

New loss of smell or taste.

Headache.

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting.

Feeling very unwell.

If you think you might have COVID-19, please consult your local health department to book an appointment at a screening clinic.

Read more:

COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: What you need to know - CBC.ca