The Covid-19 virus is still present in Eeyou Istchee. Make it a habit to follow precautions and get tested. Keep the circle of protection strong around our communities.
COVID-19 Update for Eeyou Istchee
ᔦᐦᔦᐙᔅᐱᓀᐎᓐ ᐁ ᐋᔔᒦᑐᓈᓅᒡ
yehyewaaspinewin e aashuumiitunaanuuch
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ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔨᒧᐎᓐ | IIYIYIUYIMUWIN - Make it a habit to follow COVID-19 precautions
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COVID-19 IN EEYOU ISTCHEE - AT A GLANCE
- The regional COVID-19 case count listed here is based only on PCR tests done at CMCs or hospital.
- The Cree Board of Health no longer reports rapid tests at the regional level.
- The actual number of people infected with COVID-19 is higher than the case count listed here.
- About 4 out of 5 new cases in Eeyou Istchee are detected through rapid antigen testing.
- People who test positive for COVID-19 should follow medical self-isolation recommendations to prevent infecting others.
- Public Health recommends people get another COVID-19 vaccine if it's been more than 5 months since their last dose.
- If you had COVID-19 recently, we recommend you get another vaccine dose 3 months after the infection.
Regional situation
- ACTIVE CASES: 10
- Confirmed by clinic/lab tests (ID Now or GeneXpert)
- PERCENT POSITIVITY: 14.3 %
- % of tests performed in clinic/hospital that are positive
- IN HOSPITAL: 1
- VACCINATED IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS: 11%
- A booster is recommended if your last dose was 5 months ago or longer.
Since the start of the pandemic (March 2020)
- TOTAL REPORTED CASES IN EEYOU ISTCHEE: 7,580
- TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS: 104
- TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS (in the ICU): 23
- DEATHS: 20
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.
Keep the Circle of Protection Strong - Recommended COVID-19 Precautions
1- Make it a habit to get tested
- Before and after travelling
- Before and after large gathering or events
- Before medical appointments in the South
- If you have any symptoms
You can catch the COVID-19 virus, carry it, and spread it to others even if you don’t have symptoms.
2 - If you test positive, stay home and follow isolation recommendations for you and your family
- Let your contacts know you tested positive so that they can take steps to protect themselves and people around them.
- 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 start to feel sick while isolating, assume you are positive.
- If you think you’re a close contact of a positive case: Assume you are positive. We recommend that you take needed precautions.
3- Find out whether antiviral treatment is an option for you
- Antiviral treatment is available in Eeyou Istchee for people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe disease and hospitalization.
- This treatment doesn't cure COVID-19.
- Antivirals can reduce how long and how sick you are after getting infected.
Talk to 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
- Or 18 years and older with a chronic medical condition (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, or chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease)
Answer questions and find out whether a COVID-19 antiviral treatment may be right for you... whether you have COVID-19 now, or get it in the future.
4- Wear a mask when recommended
- 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 are in a large indoor gathering
- When you visit with people who have vulnerable health (Elderly, immunocompromised, dialysis, transplant recipients)
5 - Update your COVID-19 vaccination
- 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.
- Protection given by COVID-19 vaccines fade with time.
- We need to get booster shots to maintain protection.
- If it’s been 5 months since your last COVID-19 dose, you're due for another vaccine.
ᐐᒋᐦᐄᐙᐅᐎᓐ
The Wîchihîwâuwin Helpline provides a safe space for people who need to talk on the phone about any difficult situation concerning their well-being
ᒥᓯᐙ ᓈᑭᑎᐙᔨᒦᓲᒄ
It is important to look after yourself. Self-care is part of staying balanced and healthy, emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically.
COVID-19 tests help detect infections to take action and reduce transmission. Testing is an important layer of protection against the virus.
If you have received your COVID-19 test result, whether positive or negative, please read the instructions to understand your next steps.
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
Isolation recommendations for people with COVID-19 and people who are contacts.
Antiviral treatment is available in Eeyou Istchee for people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe disease and hospitalization.
Find out how many follow-up doses you or your child need for the highest level of protection against COVID-19
Masks protect you, and people around you.
Passengers taking CHB charter flights are recommended to wear a medical mask while travelling.
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Updated
March 9, 2023
