Neskantaga First Nation declares State of Emergency after COVID-19 cases confirmed in the community

Tim Brody - Editor

Neskantaga First Nation (NFN) Council declared a State of Emergency (SOE) last week in response to a COVID-19 positive case first confirmed in the community by the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) on May 12, and two subsequent confirmed cases on May 13. 

A news release issued by the First Nation on May 13 states that on May 12 the community initiated more stringent COVID-19 protocols including a shelter in place order, amongst other restrictions, which will be in place until further notice.

“This is the first time the community has had positive cases since the global pandemic began in March of 2020. Community-wide COVID-19 testing will be taking place in the near future. Neskantaga First Nation is hopeful that the high uptake of COVID-19 vaccination will play a positive role in curbing the spread in the community but remain concerned about children under the age of 18 years old were not part of this vaccination process,” the community shared. 

Chief Wayne Moonias said in the news release that one of the biggest challenges in the ability to mount a response is lack of internal human and other resources and has called for outside government and humanitarian assistance to address the outbreak.