After Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and Indigenous Services Canada declared an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Manitoulin Island community on Aug. 5, today Public Health Sudbury & Districts (PHSD) is advising anyone who attended a social gathering at 1900 Wiikwemikong Way, including Zipp-Thru Gas Bar and Hiawatha’s food truck, on July 31 that they are at a high-risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Wiikwemkoong released a statement Aug. 6 indicating at least nine cases. The community's pandemic crisis team first revealed the outbreak on Wednesday. At that time three “clusters” of COVID-19 were identified.
A post on social media Friday afternoon reported there were six active COVID-19 cases of Wiikwemkoong band members on reserve, and three additional active cases of band members off reserve.
In a community message posted to Wiikwemkoong's Facebook page Friday, Ogimaa (Chief) Duke Peltier advised anyone who was at the locations listed last Saturday to self-isolate immediately and to contact the health unit to book a COVID-19 test.
"We are reminding everyone to follow public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID- 19. The safest options are to limit close contact to your own household members, stay home and do not attend work or school when ill, avoid non-essential travel, and remember to practice physical distancing, wear your mask, wash your hands, and keep track of your activity to support contact tracing," said Peltier's message.
In a press release Aug. 7, PHSD outlined steps to take for those who have been exposed to the specified zones. These individuals are to seek COVID-19 testing as soon as possible. In addition to testing, they are expected to contact a local Community Health Centre or public health unit for further direction on isolation.
Manitoulin clinics can be accessed through walk-in and appointments. To make a COVID-19 testing appointment, please visit the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) assessment centre website. “On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, paramedicine COVID-19 community response team can provide home swabbing by referral, all bookings are completed through MHC,” said the press release.
One vaccination clinic is located at the Manitoulin Secondary School. They can be contacted by phone at 705.674.2299 (toll-free: 1.800.708.2505). There will also be a couple of mobile clinics that are readily accessible on Friday, August 13. One of the locations is at Assiginack Farmer’s Market, 15589 Highway 6, On-6, Manitowaning, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the other at the Municipal Parking Lot, 17 Manitowaning Road, Little Current, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..
For more information, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
