Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation has declared a state of emergency after being hit with a significant COVID-19 outbreak.
The community faces a shortage of nursing and other staff due to the outbreak, putting key services at risk, Chief Donny Morris said in a declaration of emergency issued earlier this week.
There were 62 active cases as of Friday in the First Nation, which has a population of roughly 1,000 people.
The First Nation requested assistance and emergency funding from the provincial and federal governments as part of its declaration of emergency.
It also requested the Independent First Nations Alliance, a tribal council composed of communities including KI, provide assistance including staff support for the community’s nursing station.
In a release Friday, KI leadership said the situation left some families, isolating in their homes, vulnerable to food insecurity.
Morris thanked the Thunder Bay-based Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) for working with IFNA to send food hampers by air to the community in a statement Friday, saying they would help those at risk remain at home.
