COVID-19 Update for Eeyou Istchee

ᔦᐦᔦᐙᔅᐱᓀᐎᓐ ᐁ ᐋᔔᒦᑐᓈᓅᒡ

yehyewaaspinewin e aashuumiitunaanuuch

Description

ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔨᒧᐎᓐ | IIYIYIUYIMUWIN
Bertie Wapachee provides COVID-19 update for June 30, 2022

Weekly Regional Update for Friday, September 16, 2022:

8 active cases confirmed by clinical testing (PCR / ID Now). Rapid test results are not included in regional report.
1 people are currently in hospital.
89 hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic.
18 people have passed away from complications due to COVID-19 in Eeyou Istchee. *** (see note below)
7,289 cases (since the start of the pandemic)

Vaccination in Eeyou Istchee - Regional proportions (updated monthly)

56% of children 5-11 have received 2 doses
29% of 12-17 have received 3 doses
63% of 18+ have received 3 doses
38% of 55+ have received received 4 doses*

*2nd booster doses are available to all people aged 55 and older and people under 55 with certain health conditions.

NOTE on COVID-19 related deaths

**PLEASE NOTE**

A person is considered to have died of COVID-19 if they had symptoms compatible with the disease before their passing and tested positive by a PCR test.

People who, before passing, had symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and were a high-risk contact of a laboratory-confirmed case are also considered to have died of the disease, if there is no other obvious cause of death.

Quebec records COVID-19 related deaths regionally based on peoples’ primary residence when they passed.

This means that COVID-19 related deaths added to Region 18 only include people who lived in Eeyou Istchee (as their primary residence) at the time of their passing.

Quebec’s reporting of COVID-19 related hospitalizations is also by region, and is based on peoples’ primary residence.

The Cree Health Board is aware of Eeyouch/Eenouch who lived outside of Eeyou Istchee when they passed away.

These people are not reflected in Quebec’s reported COVID-19 for Region 18. They are included in the region of their primary residence when they died.

The Cree Health Board is also aware of Cree patients living long-term outside of Eeyou Istchee who have tested positive for COVID-19, and are, or have been hospitalized.

September 16, 2022 UPDATE

There are 8 active cases in Eeyou Istchee detected and confirmed by clinical / laboratory-based testing.

COVID-19 cases confirmed by rapid testing (done at home or at a community site) are not reported regionally.
As a result, the regional case count is lower than the actual number of people infected with COVID-19.

People who do test positive for COVID-19 should continue to follow medical self-isolation recommendations to prevent infecting others.

About 4 out of 5 new cases in Eeyou Istchee are detected through rapid antigen testing.

MAKE IT A HABIT TO GET TESTED

Did you take an at-home rapid antigen test? Is it a positive result?

Take a photo of your test result and save it on your phone or tablet for your records.

Please inform your Public Safety Officer (PSO) about your test result.

You can catch the COVID-19 virus, carry it, and spread it to others even if you don’t have symptoms.

Make it a habit to get tested when you travel, before and after large gathering or events, and if you have symptoms.

Help keep the circle of protection strong!

COVID-19 Precautions

When Do I Need a Covid-19 Test?

COVID-19 tests help detect infections to take action and reduce transmission. Testing is an important layer of protection against the virus.

Medical Self-isolation Recommendations

Isolation recommendations for people with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and people identified as close contacts.

How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine do you need?

Find out how many follow-up doses you or your child need for the highest level of protection against COVID-19

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE OR ARE A CLOSE CONTACT

Find out which isolation guidelines apply to you. Take our COVID-19 self-assessment questionnaire.

Click HERE to start the questionnaire

How to identify your contacts

How to trace your contacts

If you test positive for COVID-19, it's important to let your close contacts know right away, so they can take necessary precautions to protect tho

MEDICAL ISOLATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Find out which isolation guidelines apply to you. Take our COVID-19 self-assessment questionnaire.

Click HERE to start the questionnaire

Medical isolation recommended in Eeyou Istchee:

7 days for people who test positive for COVID-19
7-14 days for people who are close contacts of a positive case (depending on whether they live with someone who has tested positive).
10 days if you are immunosuppressed and have COVID-19.

People who are positive or close contacts can isolate three different ways:

in a household “bubble".
at home in a separate, closed room.
in a separate unit.

Medical Self-isolation Recommendations

Isolation recommendations for people with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and people identified as close contacts.

Ending Medical Isolation After a COVID-19 Infection

These are instructions for people isolating because of a COVID-19 infection.

If you are a close contact

If you think you’re a close contact of a positive case: Assume you are positive. We recommend that you take needed precautions.

We recommend that you isolate for 7 full days, even if you don’t have symptoms. Monitor yourself for symptoms during that time.
If you don’t have symptoms, please wait 3-5 days before calling for a test.
If you start to feel sick while you’re isolating, assume you are positive. Inform your PSO.
Call anyone you have had close contact with 48 hours prior to the onset of your symptoms.

COVID-19 ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT

Antiviral treatment is available in Eeyou Istchee for people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe disease and hospitalization. These treatments don’t cure COVID-19, but they can help shorten it and make it less severe for people who are at risk.

Click here for a questionnaire to find out whether a COVID-19 antiviral treatment may be right for you if you have COVID-19 now, or get it in the future. 

Discuss antiviral treatment with your doctor or pharmacist, even if you are fully vaccinated, if you are any of the following:

An organ transplant recipient  
Taking an immunosuppressant medication (see questionnaire for list) 
Receiving active treatment for cancer 
Pregnant

Or if you have had 0 – 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine AND you are:

60 years and older

18 years and older with a chronic medical condition (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, or chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease)

COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment

Antiviral treatment is available in Eeyou Istchee for people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe disease and hospitalization.

After a COVID-19 Infection

People should continue all precautionary measures after recovery (including wearing a mask when needed, handwashing, distancing).
Public Health recommends vaccination 8 weeks or sooner after a confirmed Covid-19 infection. Talk to a nurse about your options.

How to Obtain a Letter of Proof of Recovery from COVID-19

If you want to request a letter of Proof of Recovery, or of a negative COVID-19 test result, there are two options:

1. Call the Info-Line during regular hours (Monday – Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM) at 1-866-855-2811.

2. Or, email your request to: 18tcr.covid.infoline@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Please mention which letter of proof you need: Proof of Recovery or of a Negative Result.
Please provide your full name, date of birth, and the email address where you would like to receive the letter of proof.

COMMUNITY PHASE MEASURES IN EFFECT

Please check with local officials for the community phase and measures in effect. https://www.cngov.ca/resources/covid-public-updates/

Cree School Board Measures

Public Health is collaborating with the Cree School Board to maintain and adjust COVID-19 protocols and safety measures in all sectors.

Masks are recommended but not mandatory.

COVID-19 VACCINATION IN EEYOU ISTCHEE: VACCINATION BY COMMUNITY

Map of vaccination coverage in each community of Eeyou Istchee as of August 1 2022

NUMBERS BY COMMUNITY FOR EEYOU ISTCHEE on Monday, August 1, 2022

56% of children 5-11 have received 2 doses
29% of 12-17 have received 3 doses
63% of 18+ have received 3 doses
38% of 55+ have received received 4 doses*

*** Please see note at bottom of community list for details about what the proportions represent.

ᒋᓵᓰᐲ | CHISASIBI

5-11 = 67%

12-17 = 31%

18-54 = 70%

55+ = 54%

ᐄᔅᒣᐃᓐ | EASTMAIN

5-11 = 73%

12-17 = 54%

18-54 = 82%

55+ = 50%

ᒥᔅᑎᓯᓃ | MISTISSINI

5-11 = 26%

12-17 = 6%

18-54 =46%

55+ =14%

ᓀᒥᔅᑳ | NEMASKA

5-11 = 46%

12-17 = 45%

18-54 = 61%

55+ = 30%

ᐅᒉᐴᑯᒨ | OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU

5-11 = 34%

12-17 = 6%

18-54 = 54%

55+ = 13%

ᐙᔅᑳᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ | WASKAGANISH

5-11 = 61%

12-17 = 46%

18-54 = 61%

55+ = 18%

ᐙᔅᐙᓂᐲ | WASWANIPI

5-11 = 43%

12-17 = 18%

118-54 = 49%

55+ = 33%

ᐐᒥᓂᒌ | WEMINDJI

5-11 = 89%

12-17 = 49%

18-54 = 83%

55+ = 72%

ᐧᐋᐸᒣᑯᔥᑐᐃ | WHAPMAGOOSTUI

5-11 = 87%

12-17 = 57%

18-54 = 84%

55+ = 52%

*** WHAT DO THESE NUMBERS REPRESENT?

Children aged 5-11 who received 2 doses
Youth 12 - 17 who have received 3 doses (people who are immunocompromised or on dialysis and people who received their booster dose)
Adults 18 - 54 who have received 3 doses (people who are immunocompromised or on dialysis and people who received their booster dose)
Adults 55 + who have received 4 doses (2 primary series + 2 boosters)

A 2nd booster doses has been offered to people 55+ since April 8, 2022.

Notes about COVID-19 vaccination proportions

*CBHSSJB has revised data sources for weekly vaccination statistics. Prior to September 28, 2021, Eeyou Istchee’s population was calculated based on estimates from the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ).

Effective September 28, vaccination statistics will be calculated based on the JBNQA registry. This provides a better estimate of the proportion of permanent residents of Eeyou Istchee who are vaccinated. Proportions now exclude people who were vaccinated while in Eeyou Istchee, but do not live there permanently.

Previous COVID-19 news stories (November 20, 2020 to January 11, 2022) can be found here.

Cree Nation Government Areas of Risk map for travellers

View the interactive map on cngov.ca

Reminder: Check with your PSO or Cree Nation council before traveling outside of Eeyou Istchee for entry requirements specific to your community.

The Cree Nation Government and the Cree Board of Health are closely monitoring our neighbouring areas to assess the risks associated with travel. We are looking for any increase in the number of cases, changes in the regions' ability to manage epidemics, and their ability to conduct contact tracing.

Explore more

Travel to Eeyou Istchee from an Area of Risk: Requirements

People who travel to Eeyou Istchee from Areas of Risk must be tested for COVID-19 if local laws require it.

When Do I Need a Covid-19 Test?

COVID-19 tests help detect infections to take action and reduce transmission. Testing is an important layer of protection against the virus.

Rapid COVID-19 tests in Eeyou Istchee

Rapid tests are used in Eeyou Istchee to increase testing capacity to respond to the continued spread and community transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Rapid tests are an important tool in the new Deconfinement Plan in effect in Eeyou Istchee.