“We understand this may be alarming news, but we also understand that our community is resilient and resourceful,” acting chief Jackie Thomas said in an online community update last Friday. “We take care of each other, and the best way to take care of each other right now is to be calm, be kind and be safe.” Those in the involved households were self-isolating as they awaited their COVID-19 test results. Saik’uz’s health manager said they were initiating contact tracing to determine if anyone beyond the households were exposed. “In Saik’uz, we have partially activated our emergency response plan,” Regina Thomas said, noting the nation is in frequent contact with First Nations Health Authority, Northern Health and Carrier Sekani Family Services.
Posted: Dec 18, 2020 3:34 PM PT | Last Updated: December 19, 2020
The Stuart Lake Hospital in Fort St. James is a small acute care centre in northern B.C. Patients with serious cases of COVID-19 are being sent to hospitals in Prince George and Vanderhoof.(Taylor Hansen Photography)
Health officials and First Nations leaders are urging people to stay vigilant over the holidays in one of the regions of B.C. hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between Nov. 18 and Dec. 17 there have been 108 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Nechako Local Health Area a region with fewer than 13,000 people. That means nearly one per cent of the population has been infected in a month.
Nak’azdli Whut’en to continue shut down for another two weeks
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Nak’azdli Whut’en Chief Aileen Prince has extended the community’s shut down for another two weeks due to the recent surge of COVID cases in the Fort Saint James area.
During a Facebook Live today (Friday), Prince stated the first nations community will be monitoring vehicle traffic.
“We are going to have the patrols up here over the holidays so we are asking people to stay within their own homegroup. Don’t visit other people’s homes, don’t allow people to visit you – if someone from outside of the community comes do not let them in your home.”
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Northern Health dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases
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Northern Health, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Indigenous communities and the District of Fort St. James, are closely monitoring and responding to a surge of COVID-19 cases in Fort St. James and nearby communities.
Between November 18th and December 17th, there have been 108 cases of COVID-19 in the central and northern portions of the Nechako Health Area.
This includes 33 cases confirmed between December 9th and 15th, there are still 65 active cases.
Northern Health is now urging everyone to act responsibly and adhere to the following guidelines as we enter the Holidays: