COVID-19 outbreak in fly-in Ontario First Nation an 'extreme crisis': grand chief
CTV
An organization representing dozens of Ontario First Nations is asking the federal and provincial governments for help after a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in one of its fly-in communities that has affected roughly one-third of the local population.
Appearing on CTV News Channel on Saturday, Grand Chief Derek Fox of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations and approximately 45,000 people, said one of its communities, Bearskin Lake First Nation, currently has 149 COVID-19 cases, including one child who had to be taken to a nursing station to be treated.
With a population of roughly 400 people, Fox noted that about one-third of the community is infected with the virus.
"And so you can imagine, should this happen in any city within our country there would be an immediate response," Fox said.
"So our concern is that, currently, they haven't heard anything from the federal or provincial governments, they have yet to sit down with the federal or provincial minister responsible for this, and they are relying on surrounding communities, which they're thankful for and grateful for."