The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is starting to level out on new COVID-19 cases.
In the past week only two days recorded new infections. On November 11, three new cases and on November 14, two additional cases.
To date, the First Nation has 55 infections, 24 active. Little Red River has four, Stanley Mission 15, Sucker River 1 and La Ronge (on reserve) 4.
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said in trying to flatten the curve, its about education and providing supports.
“We provide supports to them, whether it’s cleaning supplies, groceries, whatever they need to self isolate for 14 days. And then the same with the direct contacts, the ones that are named as direct contacts, they’re contacted, and they’re told to have to self isolate. So that’s what we’ve been doing is just trying to get education out there,” Cook-Searson explained.
“It’s their compliance to the health advice that they received from the public health that makes it successful.”
The rising case numbers across the province, has leaders calling for a shrinking of personal family contacts and encouraging people to stay home.
New restrictions were introduced Monday to limit public and social gatherings and to expand the mask requirement in communities with a population of over 5000 people.
With Christmas just five weeks away, the First Nation will need to develop guidelines for holiday get-togethers.
“Christmas is very special to each and every one of our families,” stated Cook-Searson. “It’s something that we definitely have to talk about, plan for and encourage our membership, our households to stay within their own immediate households for this Christmas. Depending on what’s happening with the second wave because right now we’re seeing a surge in numbers all over.”