Onion Lake Hoping To Quell H1N1 Worries For Games

Onion Lake Hoping To Quell H1N1 Worries For Games

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 15:14

 

 

Special precautions are being taken to protect First Nations athletes from the H1N1 virus at this year’s First Nations Summer Games.

 

The Onion Lake First Nation is hosting the games from August 8th to August 13th.

 

Chief Wallace Fox says his band will do whatever it takes to keep youth who are competing in this year’s events healthy and safe — noting he has been receiving calls from several concerned chiefs around the province.

 

Games organizer Kelly Villeneuve says all athletes must check in with their local health clinic seven days prior to attending the games.

 

They will then be checked again by their coaches and chaperones immediately before the games begin.

 

Villeneuve says special funding has also set aside to keep the host site as clean as possible, including the ordering of more shipments of hand sanitizer.

 

Medical staff will also be on site throughout the games.

 

Villeneuve adds all of the steps being taken have been approved by the region’s medical health officer.

 

He says any band chiefs or councillors with questions can feel free to contact him at (306) 481-5911.