COVID-19 in Eeyou Istchee

ᔦᐦᔦᐙᔅᐱᓀᐎᓐ ᐁ ᐋᔔᒦᑐᓈᓅᒡ

yehyewaaspinewin e aashuumiitunaanuuch

Description

ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔨᒧᐎᓐ | IIYIYIUYIMUWIN - Make it a habit to follow COVID-19 precautions

The COVID-19 regional case count is no longer updated on this page as of May 2023.
The COVID-19 virus is still circulating and can make people very sick.
Make it a habit to follow precautions and stay informed about the disease.
Together, we can keep the circle of protection strong around our communities.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2.
It can spread between people.
Symptoms of an infection can be mild, moderate or severe. Some people may become very sick and require hospitalization.
Older people and people with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The virus can spread from an infected person's mouth or nose through large or small droplets when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe.
COVID-19 can also spread by touching something that has the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.
People can catch the COVID-19 virus, carry it, and spread it to others even if they don't have any symptoms.

Symptoms can vary from one person to the next depending on factors like age, medical conditions, and the virus variants.

Some people may have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all (asymptomatic).

Other people may become very sick and need to be hospitalized.

On average, it takes 5 - 6 days from when someone is infected for symptoms to show. It can also take up to 14 days for symptoms to develop.

We recommend that you isolate for 7 -10 full days, depending on your situation, even if you don’t have symptoms. Monitor yourself for symptoms during that time.
If you start to feel sick while isolating assume you are positive.
Let your contacts know you tested positive so that they can take steps to protect themselves and people around them.
If you think you’re a close contact of a positive case: Assume you are positive. We recommend that you take needed precautions.

Answer questions to learn which medical self-isolation recommendations apply to you

Antivirals don't cure COVID-19, but they can reduce how long and how sick you are.
Antiviral treatment can help reduce the risks of severe illness and hospitalization caused by a COVID-19 infection.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist 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
18 years and older with a chronic medical condition (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, or chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease)
You have had 2 or fewer doses of a COVID-19 vaccine AND you are: 60 years and older

Answer questions to find out whether a COVID-19 antiviral treatment may be right for you

Masking in certain situations protects you and people around you from airborne viruses such as COVID-19, the flu, and common cold.
We recommend you wear a mask:
- When you feel sick
- When you travel by plane (including the medical charter)
- When you visit with people who have vulnerable health (Elderly, immunocompromised, dialysis, transplant recipients)
- When you are in a large indoor gathering

COVID-19 vaccines provide the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization.
People with updated COVID-19 vaccination have lower chances of getting very sick or ending up in hospital with complications.
COVID-19 vaccination protection fades with time.
Booster shots maintain vaccine protection.
A booster is recommended if your last COVID-19 dose was 5 months ago or longer.

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.