COVID-19 Daily News Digest – January 18, 2020
Traditional Ceremony being held Monday to acknowledge fight against COVID-19
The SHA is asking people to stop where they are on Monday reflect and pause for a few moments between 9 and 9:30 a.m.
“It can be done wherever you are at that time whether it’s at work, at home, at school, outside exercising or in your own personal home,” an SHA release stated.
First Nations and Métis Health is leading the provincial effort for all Saskatchewan residents to pray in unity as the journey to battle COVID-19 continues. People from all cultural backgrounds, religions and beliefs are asked to join this moment of reflection.
Prison justice advocacy group calls for protection against COVID-19 in N.S. jails
“We can respect prisoners’ basic human rights while continuing the fight against COVID-19,” Sheila Wildeman, co-chair of the East Coast Prison Justice Society, said.
In the most recent count, 334 people are in custody, of which 75 percent are awaiting trial, the ECPJS said.
Supporting and using community agencies like this can help those awaiting trial keep up with their demands from the justice system and also keep people out of the congregated jail setting, lessening the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak.
#RezSecurityChallenge: Videos display many talents of First Nation border security
Reserve board patrol volunteers across the country are using the hashtag #RezSecurityChallenge to share videos of themselves dancing, and providing some light-hearted entertainment.
“The George Gordon First Nation,” he said. “That’s my home and if they can do it it would be awesome to see.”
The makers of the videos plan to continue trying to make their community laugh as long as they’re still working their borders.
Fort Liard Covid-19 and Hay River sewage signal may be connected
The first patient’s isolation in Hay River and return to Fort Liard may explain why Covid-19 has turned up in Hay River sewage samples, though the investigation into that connection continues. It’s too soon to be certain, officials said.
The first patient in Fort Liard booked a Covid-19 test in direct response to the NWT government’s earlier appeal for people to come forward after the virus appeared in Hay River’s sewage.
Meanwhile, a rapid response team is heading to Yellowknife’s Aven Manor seniors’ care home as work to trace a mystery case of the virus in the city continues.
Nine new COVID-19 cases in Thunder Bay District
Five of those cases were related to outbreaks: two with the Valard Construction East-West Tie construction camp, another two with the Thunder Bay District Jail, and one with the Southbridge Roseview long-term care home.
Another was a result of close contact with a previously identified case, the health unit reported, while an exposure category for three other new cases was listed as “pending.”
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/nine-new-covid-19-cases-in-thunder-bay-district-3268818
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Cowichan Tribes, vaccine brings sense of relief
Using the model the community developed for administering the flu shot last fall, the nation set up tents and checkpoints in parking lots. Atleo said they had originally planned to offer vaccinations over three days with the addition of a possible fourth day. But demand from community members forced them to change their plans yet again.
“I was shocked that we ended up doing it in just two days. But I was so happy for all the people who got vaccinated,” said Atleo.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cowichan-tribes-covid-vaccine-arrival-1.5875805
Peru: OAS recognizes Culture Ministry’s COVID-19 strategy for indigenous peoples
The recognition comes within the framework of the Virtual Contest and Fair: Good Practices for Groups in Situations of Vulnerability in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, organized by the Department of Social Inclusion (DIS) of the Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity (SARE).
The Ministry of Culture became the winner in the “Indigenous Peoples” category with the proposal “Information and Early Warning Service in Indigenous Languages for the Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19 in Indigenous or Native Peoples of Peru.”
Leaders condemn racism targeting First Nations dealing with COVID-19 cases
Members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and Cowichan Tribes have been subjected to anti-Indigenous racism — both online and off — since issuing shelter in place orders on reserve.
“Racism against Indigenous peoples is showing it’s ugly face as the system responds to the health crisis in Indigenous communities as a result of the pandemic response,” the letter reads.
“In some communities, racist commentary and abuse has been directed at Indigenous peoples, and Indigenous peoples are being wrongly targeted as solely responsible for transmission of the disease.”