COVID-19 Daily News Digest – October 1, 2020
COVID-19 is deadly. So were viruses that killed Indigenous children in residential schools. Orange Shirt Day reminds us of our medical colonialism
Our Canadian healthcare system, often revered for its universality and accessibility, played a sinister and prominent role in this genocide. In fact, we better understand today that the historical relationship between Canadian healthcare systems and Indigenous peoples has been one of colonial violence, otherwise known as medical colonialism.
COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: What you need to know this week
There have been a total of 673 cases on-reserve since the pandemic started. Three additional hospitalizations were reported since last week bringing the total to 54. The death toll remains at 11, and a total of 534 First Nations people have recovered from the disease.
Total cases on First Nations reserves per region reported as of Sept. 28:
- British Columbia: 151
- Alberta: 288
- Saskatchewan: 97
- Manitoba: 20
- Ontario: 70
- Quebec: 47
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-covid-19-update-1.5742823
Researcher urges Canada to track link between race and COVID-19 as study reveals troubling trend
Lin said his findings expose a long-standing problem: racialized groups in Canada are much more likely to have multiple chronic health issues. However, COVID-19 has only exacerbated the problem.
“Once COVID came, it was like a tinder box,” Lin told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview on Wednesday. “It would trigger these underlying conditions and cost a lot of money for the health-care system if we don’t address those underlying medical conditions.”
Canada approves new rapid COVID-19 test for use in ‘coming weeks’: PM
On Wednesday, the federal government announced plans to purchase 7.9 million of these point-of-care tests and 3,800 test analyzing devices from Abbott Rapid Diagnostics, pending Health Canada’s sign off.
That approval has now been granted by the federal health agency. It is not the first rapid test to be approved by the regulator, nor is it the first quick test the federal government has procured, but it is the largest to-date.
Federal government gives Athabasca Tribal Council $1.3 million in COVID-19 supports
“We will be reviewing grant guidelines in collaboration with communities to ensure that the plans we roll out meet those obligations as well as meet the needs of communities for off-reserve members,” said Buffalo in an interview.
According to the ISC’s website, this stream of the Indigenous Community Support Fund could include aid in food security, mental health support services, homelessness, support for elders and childcare assistance for essential workers.
Possible COVID-19 exposures on two Interlake First Nations, leadership says
Fisher River Cree Nation chief and council sent out a letter warning members who went to the same funeral that the individual wasn’t showing symptoms at the time and wasn’t told to isolate. The individual became ill and tested positive later that evening.
According to provincial data, there are currently five active cases in the Fisher River/Peguis/Pinawa health district.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/fisher-river-jackhead-first-nations-covid-19-1.5745577
Navajo Nation extends curfew amid increase in new coronavirus cases
The indigenous Navajo Nation has elected to extend its mandatory curfew and added stricter weekend curfews in a bid to curb the continued spread of COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health issued a press release on Tuesday following the decision to enact Public Health Emergency Order No. 2020-24, which instills a daily curfew during weekdays from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. beginning Friday, Oct. 2.
Anishnaabe Crown attorney who helped to create Indigenous courts in Toronto dies suddenly
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Jana Bartley wasn’t able to stay with her husband, except for one hour a week ago Wednesday when he was in the intensive care unit. She phoned repeatedly and discovered that her husband’s heart stopped twice Saturday. She rushed to be by his side for his final hours.