SIOUX LOOKOUT, Ont. — The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority reports four new cases of COVID-19 in two communities within its jurisdiction.
SLFNHA says these are in addition to a case that was identified on June 12.
The authority, which recently took responsibility for COVID-19 case management, is working with both communities with contact tracing, and providing additional resources.
Neither community was identified in a news release. SLFNHA said this is consistent with good pubic health practices, and respecting confidentiality and privacy.
Following the June 12 positive case, two additional cases from the same community were identified on June 15.
"These are significant as the transmission occurred in the community," the authority said.
It said it has met with all parties, including Chief and Council, community doctors, the nursing station, Indigenous Services Canada and the Preventing Infectious Disease team.
As part of their pandemic planning, the community already had a Contact Tracing Team in place, which the SLFNHA says enabled tracing to begin within hours.
It deployed a response team to the community, and the local pandemic plan has been implemented.
As part of the response, 500 swabs and sets of personal protective equipment have been delivered to the First Nation.
Contact tracing is also underway in a second community where two positive COVID-19 cases came to light on June 15.
SLFHNA said it is working with community leaders to ensure the safety of residents, but no other details are available as yet.
Rainy River First Nations COVID-19 case re-examined
Elsewhere in northwestern Ontario, Rainy River FIrst Nations, west of Fort Frances, has provided an update on the status of a COVID-19 case it reported on Tuesday.
In a post on its Facebook page, RRFN says a test result that was originally labelled as "positive" has now been labelled "indeterminate."
The test is now being redone to get a conclusive result.
An update will be provided to the community when the results are available.
Contact tracing began immediately on Rainy River First Nations after the test result initially came back positive, and testing was also made available to any individuals concerned about their risk of getting COVID-19.
