Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and communities 5 September

As of September 3, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is aware of these confirmed cases of COVID-19 for First Nations on reserve:

• 459 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19
• 38 hospitalizations
• 417 recovered cases

There are a total of 17 confirmed positive cases in Nunavik, Quebec, and all have recovered.

Unfortunately, multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in Squamish, BC this week. We are closely monitoring the recent cases and will continue to work closely with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to ensure necessary supports are in place. Several community members have been tested and are awaiting results. At this time community members are to reach out to support teams via the FNHA for items such as medication and food. ISC stands ready to deploy additional surge capacity supports as needed.

When compared to the general Canadian population, the infection rate, hospitalization rate, and death rate were lower in First Nations communities on reserve. For example, the rate of COVID-19 reported among First Nations individuals living on reserve is currently one-quarter the rate of the general Canadian population.

While data to make this comparison is currently only available for First Nations living on reserve, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have all taken many positive measures to protect their populations in the face of COVID-19 and have done a successful job in responding and preventing outbreaks.

In order to keep flattening the curve and the infection rate low, we must all remain vigilant in employing measures to protect ourselves, our families and our communities from the spread of COVID-19.

Individuals can help by:

• avoiding all non-essential trips in the community;
• limiting the size of group gatherings;
• maintaining physical distancing of at least 2 arm-lengths (approximately 2 meters or 6 feet);
• limiting contact with people at higher risk, such as seniors, those in poor health, or with underlying health conditions;
• wearing a non-medical mask when physical distancing is not possible; and
• following the recommended public health guidelines outlined by your province or territory of residence.

On August 26th, the Government of Canada announced $2 billion, through the Safe Return to Class Fund, in support for provinces and territories. As part of this announcement, an additional investment of $112 million is dedicated to support a safe return for elementary and secondary First Nations schools on reserves. Support is being provided to address operational and student needs, and assist schools with the necessary retrofits they need to follow public health guidelines and respect adequate physical distancing as school activities resume. For example, funding could include: salaries for teachers, custodians and bus drivers (who may work additional hours during this period), access to technology, purchase of e-learning software, the development of take-home learning materials, installation of Plexiglas separators and marking floors with physical distance indicators.

On August 25th, the Government of Canada announced $82.5 million to be spent this year (2020-21) to help address urgent mental wellness needs in Indigenous communities related to COVID-19. The funding is to be allocated in distinctions-based envelopes to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners and communities as they adapt mental wellness services to better respond to the current COVID-19 context. ISC will work to support the culturally-safe adaptation of mental wellness services to the current COVID-19 context:

• expanding access to culturally appropriate services such as on the land activities, community-based health supports, and mental wellness teams;
• adapting mental health services to meet increasing demand (e.g., virtual counseling, crisis line surge capacity); and,
• supporting Indigenous partners to develop innovative strategies to address substance use and improve access to treatment services.