Eskasoni First Nation confirms first case of COVID-19

ESKASONI — Eskasoni First Nation reported its first case of the COVID-19 virus on Friday when the public

was informed of a travel related case.

The person is currently self-isolating. Neither age nor gender of the person was released.

“I'm asking community members not panic,” said Chief Leroy Denny in an address to the community on Friday. “Public health measures are designed to keep the community safe and we must protect the person's privacy and safety.

“We must also be kind to each other and pray for this community member who has COVID-19 for a full recovery.”

The Nova Scotia Public Health Authority is working with Denny and the Eskasoni Health Centre. They will follow the investigation and contact tracing.

Eskasoni chief and council are asking community members to take more precautions and to limit travel.

“We need your co-operation over the holiday season,” said Denny. “To increase your personal safety measures, we're recommending community members stay home and do not visit like you would normal do during Christmas holidays.

“This Christmas will be different than in previous years and the biggest gift to give your family this year is follow public health protocols — be creative in how you can spend time with others safely, Facetime and phone calls.”

In March, Eskasoni enacted a health and safety bylaw to encourage residents to stay home for precautionary measures. The measures included a curfew and barricades to help limit the spread of the virus.

Restrictions were late eased as cases remained low in Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.