Bulletin to First Nations in Saskatchewan
As with any other communicable disease in First Nations communities in Saskatchewan, public health follow-up and management of COVID-19 cases and contacts is coordinated by Indigenous Services Canada for south and central First Nations communities and by the Northern Inter-tribal Health Authority (NITHA) for the northern First Nations communities.
Status Update
As of May 21, Saskatchewan has officially reported 622 cases of COVID-19.
As of May 21, 42,443 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.
Summary of Persons with COVID-19 in Saskatchewan Cases and Risk of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan
Total Confirmed * Active Inpatient ICU Region Recovered Deaths Cases Cases Cases Hospitalization Hospitalizations
Far North 244 244 93 0 0 150 1
North 110 110 6 0 0 102 2
Central 12 12 1 0 0 10 1 (excluding Saskatoon)
Saskatoon 165 165 5 1 3 158 2
South 15 15 0 0 0 15 0 (excluding Regina) Regina 76 76 1 1 0 74 1 Total Saskatchewan 622 622 106 2 3 509 7 *There may be more recovered cases yet to be reported to Public Health.
Summary of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan First Nations Communities
As of May 21, there are 48 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Saskatchewan First Nation communities. Fourteen out of the 48 cases are considered active. The remaining 33 cases have recovered. One First Nations (1) resident with COVID-19 has died.
Individuals who are concerned about symptoms or risks related to COVID‐19 should call Healthline 811 or use the online self‐assessment tool found on the Ministry of Health website.
1 | P a g e May 21, 2020 | COVID-19 Bulletin to First Nations in Saskatchewan
Map of Provincial COVID-19 Reporting Regions
Prepared for Health Directors, Nurse Managers and other health staff to support their understanding of where First Nation Communities fall within the provincial COVID-19 reporting regions.
First Nation Communities
BIRCH NARROWS POUNDMAKE RED BLACK LAKE EARTH RED BRABANT PHEASANT BUFFALO RIVER SAULTEAUX CANOE LAKE SHOAL LAKE CLEARWATER RIVER STURGEON LAKE DENARE BEACH SWEETGRASS DESCHAMBAULT North THUNDERCHILD LAKE ENGLISH RIVER WAHPETON FOND DU LAC WATERHEN LAKE
GRANDMOTHER'S BAY WITCHEKAN LAKE
HATCHET LAKE YELLOW QUILL
Far HALL LAKE North KINOOSAO
KITSAKI COTE LITTLE RED KEESEEKOOSE RIVER MONTREAL THE KEY
LAKE PELICAN Central
NARROWS SANDY BAY SOUTHEND BEARDY'S & OKEMASIS STANLEY MISSION FISHING LAKE STURGEON ONE ARROW LANDING WHITECAP DAKOTA SUCKER RIVER Saskatoon
CARRY THE KETTLE AHTAHKAKOOP COWESSESS BIG ISLAND LAKE DAY STAR GEORGE BIG RIVER GORDON CUMBERLAND HOUSE KAHKEWISTAHAW FLYING DUST KAWACATOOSE
ISLAND LAKE LITTLE BLACK BEAR (MINISTIKWAN) a MUSCOWPETUNG
JAMES SMITH MUSKOWEKWAN KINISTIN OCHAPOWACE
Regin OKANESE LITTLE PINE LUCKY MAN PASQUA MAKWA PEEPEEKISIS
North SAHGAIEHCAN PIAPOT MISTAWASIS STANDING BUFFALO MOOSOMIN STAR BLANKET MOSQUITO, GRIZZLY ZAGIME ANISHINABEK BEAR'S HEAD, LEAN MAN
MUSKEG LAKE NEKANEET MUSKODAY OCEAN MAN ONION LAKE PHEASANT RUMP
PELICAN LAKE South WHITE BEAR WOOD MOUNTAIN Red lines represent Treaty boundaries and black lines represent the provincial COVID-19 reporting boundaries.
2 | P a g e May 21, 2020 | COVID-19 Bulletin to First Nations in Saskatchewan
On May 19, the Chief Medical Health Officer of Saskatchewan updated a previous Public Health Order on northern travel restrictions:
Public Health Order: Updated Travel Restrictions in Northwest Region List of Communities subject to Public Health Order of May 19, 2020
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) ended its outbreak declaration at the La Loche Health Centre long-term care facility and Meadow Lake Hospital.
On May 20, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released a public service announcement that provides more information to the public regarding the expanded testing criteria recently announced by the Ministry of Health.
Beginning May 25, 2020, Saskatchewan residents can call HealthLine 811 to determine if they are eligible for testing based not only on existing guidelines, but also on the new criteria which includes having testing available for those who work outside the home (whether already working or returning to work). Testing will also be available for health care workers caring for immunocompromised patients and for those working in high volume work settings such as industries or factories on a voluntary basis.
Government of Canada COVID-19 Support
On May 15, the Government of Canada extended the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) by an additional 12 weeks to August 29, 2020. Eligibility for the CEWS has been extended to the following groups:
Partnerships that are up to 50-per-cent owned by non-eligible members; Indigenous government-owned corporations that are carrying on a business, as well as partnerships where the partners are Indigenous governments and eligible employers; Registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Associations; Registered Journalism Organizations; and Non-public colleges and schools, including institutions that offer specialized services, such as arts schools, driving schools, language schools or flight schools.
On May 16, the Government of Canada announced up to $100 million in funding to help the Red Cross meet increased demand due to COVID-19, and to support future floods and wildfire relief efforts.
3 | P a g e May 21, 2020 | COVID-19 Bulletin to First Nations in Saskatchewan
Additional support for Indigenous peoples living in urban centres and off reserve
Today, the Government of Canada announced $75 million in new funding for Indigenous organizations providing services to Indigenous peoples in urban centres and off reserve.
This additional funding will support more community-based projects that address the critical needs of Indigenous populations during this crisis, including food security, mental health support services, and sanitation and protective equipment. It could also help with other needs, such as support for Elders, transportation, and educational materials for Indigenous children and youth. Funding for projects will start rolling out in the coming weeks.
As part of the $305 million distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund announced on March 18, the Government of Canada provided:
$215 million for First Nations, allocated to each First Nation based on population, remoteness and community well-being $45 million for Inuit, which flowed to each of the four land claims organizations through an allocation determined by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and regional Inuit land claims organizations
$30 million for Métis Nation communities, which flowed through each of the Governing Members $15 million for Indigenous organizations and communities
providing services to Indigenous peoples in urban centres and off reserve.
The new $75 million will provide additional funding for the many organizations meeting the critical needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
in urban centres and off reserve.
The First Nations Land Management Resource Centre is working with the Government of Canada to offer a series of national online conversations on Indigenous Law Enforcement. The first conversation will focus on Indigenous government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including laws enacted by Indigenous government and the enforcement considerations they face. This webinar will take place on May 29, 2020 at 12:00 pm EST/9:00 am PST. To register for this event, please visit: www.surveymonkey.com/r/IndigenousLaws-COVID19-Webinar
4 | P a g e May 21, 2020 | COVID-19 Bulletin to First Nations in Saskatchewan
Caution when using household cleaners The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of household cleaning products, bleaches, disinfectants, and hand sanitizers. Between February and March, poison centres received 58% more reports of exposure to these products, compared with the same period last year.
To keep your home and family safe, read and follow the directions on product labels. Find more information on how to safely use these products here: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2020/72983a-eng.php
Support for children during COVID-19 Are you facing new challenges as a parent or caregiver due to COVID-19? Tips and ideas on how to support and engage with children during this new and unexpected situation are available at the link below. Full details can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public- health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/resources-parents-children.html
Mental Health and Cultural Supports The First Nations Health Authority has gathered a list of helpful mental health and cultural supports that are available, including culturally safe crisis lines, cultural support workers and other resources.
Use of non-medical cloth masks and face coverings in community settings
Evidence indicates that pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic people could transmit the virus that causes COVID-19. As jurisdictions prepare to lift restrictive public health measures, non-medical masks or cloth facial coverings may be recommended as an additional layer of protection to limit the spread of COVID-19 in certain community settings.
If used correctly, a non-medical mask can play an important role in situations where physical distancing is not possible or is unpredictable.
A non-medical mask or cloth face covering is recommended for periods, particularly in crowded settings, where it is not possible to keep a two-metre physical distance from others:
Community settings where physical barriers and spacing aids are not in place (e.g. some retail or work spaces) Enclosed environments (e.g. public or commercial transportation); and/or High-risk settings where outbreaks can spread quickly (e.g. group living settings, correctional facilities)
Wearing a non-medical mask in the community does not mean you can back off from public health measures that we know work to protect you.
The website Canada.ca/coronavirus has information on the appropriate use of non-medical masks or cloth face coverings, including how to make your own. Use of non-medical cloth masks or face coverings in community settings: http://www.phn-rsp.ca/sac-covid-ccs/wearing-masks-community-eng.php
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For additional information on COVID-19, please refer to the following resources:
General information on COVID-19 COVID-19 and Indigenous Communities Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 Infection prevention and control for COVID-19
Questions and requests related to COVID-19 should be sent to our generic email address at [email protected] to allow our team to provide you with a coordinated and timely response.
Aw areness resources and videos
Created specifically for Indigenous communities or in Indigenous languages by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Indigenous organizations, COVID-19 resources to raise awareness and protect individuals and communities are available:
NEW: Keep it clean: Stop the spread of COVID-19 in Indigenous Communities.
This video is available in 16 Indigenous languages, including Dene and Cree.
NEW: Physical distancing: Stop the spread of COVID-19 in Indigenous Communities. This video is available in 16 Indigenous languages, including Dene and Cree.
NEW: Our Smallest Warriors, our strongest medicine was developed to help families use Indigenous values and stories to promote wellness and overcome COVID-19. First Nations Health Authority Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Youth COVID-19 Indigenous Resources Harm Reduction Resources for People who Use Drugs BATC Elders share advice during COVID-19 Domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic | When Staying Home is Not Safe COVID-19 Social Media Content for Indigenous Communities
Updates and additional information | Keep up-to-date on new fact sheets and information on www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus or Canada.ca/coronavirus.
6 | P a g e May 21, 2020 | COVID-19 Bulletin to First Nations in Saskatchewan