FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION – Fort William First Nation has lifted a curfew imposed earlier this month in the face of rising COVID-19 cases, with only a handful remaining active.
The First Nation’s chief and council made the decision to lift the curfew and extend business hours as of Thursday, said Chief Peter Collins in an update to the community.
The community declared a state of emergency March 10, with leaders saying increasing spread of the virus within the community was overwhelming the ability of staff to respond.
The declaration was accompanied by requests for support to the provincial and federal governments, and a public curfew in place from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily, with exceptions for community employment, essential services, and medical needs.
Active cases have since declined, and vaccines are rolling out to hundreds of members, but Collins urged caution, saying the situation remained tenuous.
“Even though we’ve gotten vaccinated in Fort William, we can’t let our guards down,” he said. “If you’re going into the city, there’s still a lot of spread. The numbers are coming down in the city as we speak, but not to a point where we can get comfortable and let our guard down.”
There have now been at least 30 confirmed cases in the community, with two remaining active as of Thursday. Most of those cases have come in recent weeks – the community had reported only six as of Feb. 23.
Collins noted some of the recent infections had impacted members under the age of 16, a development he called “very concerning.”
Vaccination efforts continue in the community, with 300 members receiving a second dose last week, and another 98 getting a first dose. Another vaccine clinic planned for Wednesday had over 200 people registered, Collins said.
Fort William First Nation has 1,200 members living on the reserve and more than 2,500 members total.
Collins estimated all members over 18 who wanted to be vaccinated would have the opportunity by no later than mid-April.
