COVID-19 Daily News Digest – October 31, 2020
Take precautions seriously, Pimicikamak community members urge public
While Wright’s brothers are dropping off groceries for their mom, Wright said she has begun to worry about the social isolation her 79-year-old mother will feel in lockdown.
She’s also concerned about how quickly COVID might spread in the population of 8,000-10,000, with some big families all under one roof.
“With a lack of housing, there are so many people in a home, and so much potential for the spread of the virus,” she said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pimicikamak-lockdown-covid-19-1.5783005
Feds add $204M for anti-pandemic measures in Indigenous communities and institutions
Access to safe and culturally relevant early learning and child care is essential to the recovery of Indigenous communities from COVID-19,” Trudeau said.
The government is also spending $25 million to help Indigenous post-secondary institutions with increased costs related to the pandemic.
“This will help retain staff, adapt courses for online learning and implement public health and safety measures like additional handwashing stations and safe space barriers,” Trudeau said.
Government of Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and communities
OTTAWA, TRADITIONAL UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TERRITORY, ON, Oct. 30, 2020 /CNW/ – The week of October 18-24 has seen 163 new cases of COVID-19 reported in First Nations communities as of October 24. An increasing number of case transmission has been linked to community transmission and to large private and public gatherings in settings where physical distancing and wearing of masks were not observed.
Alberta reports highest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases on reserves in Canada
While cumulative numbers since the start of the pandemic are weighted toward Alberta, the most active cases are in the Prairies.
Manitoba has the highest at 120 active cases, followed by Saskatchewan at 116 and Alberta comes in third with 79 cases, according to data from Indigenous Services Canada.
More than 20 Sask First Nations schools closed due to COVID-19 fears
Sandfly said she and her husband, Joseph Keesaynew, work hard to ensure their kids don’t fall behind in their education while their school is closed.
“They’re actually looking forward to it opening again, and I kind of am, too. Being at home like this is not easy,” said Sandfly, who is also taking adult education classes toward her high school diploma.