Sitansisk
(St. Mary’s First Nation)
150 Cliffe Street, Fredericton, NB E3A 0A1
- (506) 458-9511 T.F. (888) 445-6644
November 10, 2021
COVID-19 Response Within Sitansisk
Sitansisk has had at least four confirmed cases of COVID-19 among community members. At present, these are all tied to a single location with no indication of additional spread. New Brunswick Public Health has been in contact to offer advice to Health Centre workers as well as Band Administration. Chief and Council will be reviewing the COVID-19 policy adopted in April of 2020, amending it to address the current concerns as needed; information on this will be provided as the situation develops.
In the meantime, St. Mary’s First Nation Administration and Education staff have decided to keep CHSMES, Wolokehkitmok, and the Language program out of classrooms for another week out of an abundance of caution. Juvenile vaccines are still pending approval from Health Canada. Following approval of these vaccines, there will be a vaccination clinic put on by the Health Centre for this group, and the option to also offer vaccines to adults who would like to receive their first, second or third dose at that time.
Note: No students, faculty or other staff have tested positive at this time according to NB Public Health, but to mitigate any other risks, the schools and program will be closed the week of November 15. In the case of CHSMES and Wolokekitmok, students will be provided with an at-home learning kit; the language program will be asked to move to online sessions for the time being. An evaluation of the situation within the community will take place next week and more information will be provided as it arrives.
Any community members who are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to contact either NB Public Health or the St. Mary’s Veterans Memorial Health Centre (SMVMHC) to arrange for rapid testing. SMVMHC staff will also be available to answer questions regarding COVID-19. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to use the self-assessment tool for COVID-19 on the NB Health website to book a PCR test if needed. These assessments can be done online or by dialing 811. Individuals who live with others but are asked to isolate are recommended to limit contact with others, wear masks whenever possible and exercise all best practices related to reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Parents who require financial assistance to stay home with their children are recommended to apply for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), which provides direct financial assistance to parents who miss at least 50% of their work week to care for a child at home due to COVID-19-related closures of schools and daycares. Workers who are unable to work due to isolation requests related to COVID-19 are similarly eligible to apply for assistance via the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) through the Government of Canada.
Chief and Council continue to urge members of our community and businesses operating within the community to follow best practices regarding prevention of transmission of COVID-19, including wearing masks, washing/sanitizing your hands frequently, staying home when feeling ill, getting vaccinated, and maintaining physical distance when possible. Please continue to do your part in keeping the community safe.
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