The federal government has extended support to two local First Nation communities that are still fighting lengthy COVID-19 outbreaks.
Indigenous Services Canada has confirmed that members of the Canadian Rangers will continue providing support to Miskeegogamang First Nation and Eabametoong First Nation until early March. Eabametoong members, also known as Fort Hope, have been under lockdown since February 6.
As of February 25, the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority is reporting a total of 485 active cases across their catchment area, which includes 30 First Nation communities in the Kenora and Kiiwetinoong ridings. The 485 active cases represent over 25 per cent of SLFNHA’s total 1899 cases reported since March of 2020.
Active COVID-19 cases include 73 in Eabametoong First Nation, 138 in Kasabonika Lake First Nation, 83 in Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation, 48 in Pikangikum First Nation, 36 in Lac Seul First Nation, 11 in Webequie First Nation and 13 cases are listed in ‘other’ locations.
Kenora MP Eric Melillo says Ottawa is continuing to keep a close eye on the ongoing situation, noting many of the active COVID-19 cases in Kasabonika Lake include essential healthcare staff – compounding an already difficult situation.
“This is something that I’m certainly keeping my eye on. Many First Nations in the riding do not have adequate resources to effectively manage any outbreaks,” said Melillo, in an interview with the Q Morning Show.
Though Indigenous Services Canada has announced that Operation Remote Immunity 3.0 has wrapped up after over 200 vaccine clinics in 29 remote and isolated First Nation communities, administering just shy of 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines with the support of SLFNHA staff, vaccine coverage rates remain low across their catchment area.
“That’s why I’ve been saying throughout the pandemic that we need to be more proactive in building healthcare capacity and improving infrastructure in the north. The tools exist, and it’s incumbent on the government to step up and provide that support,” adds Melillo.
The Ontario Medical Association says Ontario ranks seventh among Canadian provinces in the number of family doctors per 100,000 patients, and the shortage is made much worse in northern and rural areas.
Earlier this year, Melillo called on Ottawa to provide immediate housing supports to First Nation communities who have long been dealing with dangerous housing conditions, after the release of a new report which linked poor housing conditions with respiratory illness and a heightened risk of hospitalization for First Nation families.