Troubling COVID-19 surge continues on Six Nations

24 new cases reported over the weekend and two more on Monday, raising the active count to 49

COVID-19 may be on the decline in neighbouring communities, but the virus is surging on Six Nations of the Grand River territory.

Six Nations Health Services reported 24 new cases over the weekend and two more on Monday, bringing the active case count to 49.

This, despite repeated calls for band members to avoid nonessential travel, including what elected council described as a “steady stream” of cross-border trips.

Elected council spokesperson Candace Lickers confirmed First Nations are exempt from border restrictions and Six Nations members can cross freely into the United States.

However, she said, “Members are encouraged to cross the border for essential work and family purposes only at this time.”

Staff Sgt. Derrick Anderson said on average, Canada Border Services Agency informs Six Nations Police of “dozens” of band members crossing the border every month.

“There are persons provincewide who cross the border on a daily basis. It’s not just people from Six Nations,” Anderson said. “We don’t ask what the reason for crossing is. We only go to remind those who did to isolate for 14 days.”

Public health says some band members are not abiding by the mandatory quarantine, but Anderson reported that “for the most part, community members are in compliance,” with those who flout the rules issued a warning.

“The focus is public education and not enforcement,” he said.

Some recent cases have been traced to mid-winter ceremonies held inside multiple longhouses in January and attended by “less than100” people.

“Mid-winter ceremonies are important to the Six Nations people, which is why public health provided advice on safety measures, as well as provided PPE,” Lickers said.

Anderson declined to say whether holding the ceremonies violated COVID-19 restrictions.

“Our focus is on public education to make the community aware of the potential dangers of gatherings and the guidelines to help curb the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

Public health is also contending with an outbreak at Iroquois Lodge, a nursing home in Ohsweken, after two positive cases were discovered Feb. 4 during routine surveillance testing of staff, contractors and caregivers.

J.P. Antonacci’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows him to report on stories about the regions of Haldimand and Norfolk.