BEAVER LAKE - Beaver Lake Cree Nation (BLCN) leaders informed their memership on November 5, that they now have their first confirmed case of COVID-19.
A statement issued by Beaver Lake’s Pandemic Committee to band membership and the community said the person who has contracted the respiratory virus is currently self-isolating and being monitored by Beaver Lake Health Services staff. Those who have been in close contact with the individual are also self-isolating as a precaution
The announcement gave no information about the person or how they may have come in contact with the virus, noting that their privacy and health were of the utmost importance.
Offices closed
As a general precaution, all Beaver Lake Cree Nation band offices will be closed for the next 14 days, and band members are being asked to restrict their socializing with others in the Nation and in the surrounding communities.
The BLCN’s pandemic committee is actively notifying the nation that they are doing everything they can so that the virus doesn’t continue to spread.
“Chief and Council and the pandemic committee want all BLCN members to know that all precautionary measures are being put in place to keep everyone in the community safe,” notes the advisory. “We also ask that you only leave your household for essential needs -- this includes groceries, prescriptions, appointments and emergencies. Please also refrain from visiting and/or gathering with other members of the nation as well as outside the nation.”
LakelandToday.ca and Lakeland This Week has attempted to contact band officials for comment, but no response was received by the newspaper’s editorial deadline.
According to the notice, Beaver Lake Cree Nation officials say they are continuing their strong and rigorous measures to reduce any possible further spread.
“We continue to keep the health and safety of the community members our top priority,” says the committee.
While the offices on the Nation are closed, essential services are still operating, and key staff members can be reached through a contact list given to the membership. The Busy Beaver store remains open.
Band officials are urging all members to continue to follow COVID 19 safety protocols by maintaining social distancing, washing hands and wearing face masks.
Precautions tested
The news of the single case comes after 244 band members have been tested for the respiratory virus that has caused a global pandemic.
The confirmation of the single case comes after an October 23 notice to band members that 10 staff members from the Band’s main offices were self-isolating as a precaution after coming in contact with a person who later tested positive for the virus. A week later, on Halloween, the Nation’s regularly updated tally of COVID tests — at 233 members at that point — showed no cases. The current confirmed case was found in the last 11 tests conducted over the last week. Of those 11 — as of Friday night — eight results were negative and two were still pending.
