Posts about COVID-19 and our response
The province-wide ‘emergency brake’ shutdown and stay-at-home order that began on Thursday, April 8th at 12:01 am has been extended to 6 weeks. This is due to the alarming surge in COVID-19 case numbers and record-high hospitalizations recently. ICUs across the province are filling up and many PHUs are at or above capacity.
Read about variants of concern across Ontario, see a summary of new, active cases and total ICU beds occupied as of Monday, April 19, 2021:
Below is the statement from the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police on Ontario’s new enforcement measure regarding the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders released on Friday, April 16, 2021.
Spring has sprung; the weather is getting nicer and while it’s important to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, we all need to continue to keep ourselves and the community safe from COVID-19.
Even after we’ve been vaccinated, we still need to follow public health recommendations.
Sharing some great resources:
Spring Update
COVID-19 Vaccine – Get the Facts!
Seasonal Allergies or COVID-19?
An update as of 04APR from Chiefs Of Ontario:
Variants of Concern (VOC) – Ontario is seeing a rapid increase of VOC cases.
As of 04APR a total of 2,288 positive cases have been confirmed as one of the known VOCs.
There have been 25,470 cases that tested positive for the N501Y mutation, that have not yet been classified.
COVID-19 Testing
There were 179 new positive results among First Nations people over the past week ending Mar 21, 2021, down from 224 last week. This is a 20% decrease and the third week in a row with decreasing totals. The number of positive results among First Nations to date is 2,664.
The cumulative positivity rate among First Nations of 4.8% is only slightly higher than in previous weeks. The Ontario rate stayed relatively steady.
The rolling two-week average of new COVID-19 positive test results among FN decreased for the third week in a row. The Ontario rate increased for the second week in a row. A clear difference remains in the two trends.
Check out the full report below.
COVID-19 Pandemic Update 26MAR21
Ontario Cases ranged between 1,500 and 2,300 daily.
The highest number reported this week was 2,380 on Thursday, March 25th.
The weekly 7-day average reported was 1,794 cases.
Ontario is seeing a trend of increasing cases, similar to the surge that began in November
As of March 25th: 1612 cases have been confirmed to be one the known VOCs
The following map highlights COVID-19 activity within First Nation communities since the beginning of the pandemic.
See the full report below.
As of March 23, 2021, Indigenous Services Canada is aware of:
610 communities with vaccinations underway (for either priority groups or all adults) in:
First Nations and Inuit communities in provinces
communities in territories
226,790 doses have been administered.
Vaccine Misinformation
We understand that some inaccurate information has been circulating to certain Indigenous communities about the vaccine that includes false and distorted information about potential side effects. The spread of misinformation can have real consequences and can affect people’s behaviours and decision-making.
It is important to obtain information from trusted sources. These sources include federal, provincial, and territorial health authorities, community health centres, nursing stations, or local healthcare providers. Please consider the source of information before spreading or sharing articles or facts. Vaccination is a choice. Vaccines used in Canada must be approved by Health Canada and the COVID-19 vaccine is held to the same safety standards as other vaccines to make sure it is safe and effective.
How are these vaccines are developed so fast? Watch this 3-minute video
Moderna Vaccine – Reduce YOUR risk for infection and spreading! Check out another 3-minute video to watch…
COVID-19 Variants of Concerns
As Variants of Concern (VOCs) continue to spread in Ontario, it remains vital to continue following public health measures to prevent their spread. Because VOCs spread the same way as the “original” virus, the same actions can be effective. These include avoiding close contact with anyone outside of your household, wearing a good fitting 3-ply mask in indoor public spaces, maintaining physical distancing, and frequent handwashing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs.
Anyone with even a very mild symptom of COVID-19 should stay away from others and get tested. We know from what we have learned that often people have such a mild symptom that they think it can’t be due to COVID-19! By the time they get tested, they have exposed other people.
Even after being vaccinated, people should continue to practice public health measures. Until enough people are vaccinated, the virus will continue to circulate and can cause severe illness.
Do I have COVID-19, a Cold, the Flu or seasonal Allergies?
Here are some great links to more reading material!
Below are a few highlights from the Newsletter. To read it in its entirety scroll to the bottom of this page and click the PDF.
COVID-19 has had a big impact on how we have felt and has caused an increase in stress, anxiety, and worry. Things you can do right now to reduce anxiety, stress and worry, related to COVID-19:
Webinars
Topic: COVID-19 Variants of Concern
Offered by: Public Health Ontario
Date: Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Time: 10:00am – 11:00 am (EST)
About the Webinar:
This rounds session will cover an overview of the evidence to date on COVID-19 variants of concern with respect to their epidemiology and their influence on the pandemic and disease control. We will present some of the methods that are used to screen and test for variants of concern, as well as the results of targeted and surveillance testing for variants in Ontario. Finally, we will present updates from the Provincial Advisory Committee on Infectious Diseases – Infection Control regarding the evidence and recommendations for infection control measures related to variants of concern. Click here to register in advance.
Understanding Wellness in Indigenous Wisdom – Series of webinars (02MAR21)
During the presentations, participants will:
Share the importance of language – what your language says about being well
Discuss how your culture helps maintain being well
Discuss the vision of a healthy community/healthy peoples
Discuss the importance of the caregiver role and how much they are appreciated and valued by communities
To watch the series click here.
The Chiefs of Ontario are looking for individuals, youth, and Elders/First Nation Knowledge Keepers that have knowledge and experience in First Nation health research, research practices, community-based research, experience with the Regional Health Survey (RHS), reviewing and writing research projects, knowledge of First Nation research ethics to sit on the First Nation Data Governance Committee. If interested in this exciting opportunity check out the COO March newsletter
Thank you so much for all your help in organizing and operating the Clinic! The Public Health Nurses said,
“Our clinic was the best one yet” They sung everyone’s praises and send their thanks.
On behalf of our community, WE thank each and every one of you. You are all our very own heroes.
Magnetawan First Nation’s Vaccine First Dose COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic is complete!
A total of 76 Doses of Moderna were given out.
61 were Magnetawan residents and members. That’s 70% of our in-community residents over 18!
15 were Magnetawan employees who reside off territory.
Stay tuned for the date for our second dose. Once the date is set, those that were not able to receive the vaccine at the first clinic will have the opportunity to receive their first dose at the next clinic! Consent forms are available at the Health Centre.
It has been a full year since COVID-19 changed the world as we knew it. The pandemic has taken a toll on each of us in different ways and poses challenges that can be overwhelming. The Hope for Wellness Helpline is there for us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week offering mental health counselling & crisis intervention.
1 855-242-3310 No one has to battle alone.
As you are aware, COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VOCs) are circulating within Ontario. We are writing to you today to provide updated information and public health recommendations regards COVID-19 VOCs.
For more, please read this release below.
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of infectious diseases, whether
it’s seasonal flu or childhood infections. A safe and effective vaccine(s) for COVID-19 will protect us against the novel
coronavirus and will be an important step to safely resume normal life in Canada and around the world. The Government
of Canada is working on all possible fronts to secure access to safe and effective vaccines and related supplies for
Canadians. Here is what Canadians need to know about a future COVID-19 vaccine
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