Indigenous Services Canada trying to keep up with COVID-19 issues

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) commends the tireless work of individuals, communities, and frontline healthcare workers whose efforts continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

Below are some of the latest updates from ISC for the week of February 10.

Vaccinations

As of February 8, over 86% of individuals aged 12 and older in First Nations, Inuit and territorial communities have received a second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, and 23% have received a third/booster shot. Over 45% of individuals aged 5 to 11 have received at least one dose.

COVID-19 cases

As of February 9, 2022, the following case counts have been reported from First Nations communities:

• 78,156 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, of which 9,428 are the Omicron variant;

• 4,125 active cases;

• 2,691 hospitalizations;

• 73,406 recovered cases;

• 625 deaths.

For the week of February 3 to February 9, 2022, average daily reported active case counts fell 13.2% compared to the daily average the week before.

This compares to a 3.8% decrease in average daily cases reported the week of January 27 to February 2 from the week prior and a 0.8% increase in average daily cases reported the week of January 20 to 26 from the week prior.

Case count information is updated and published daily Monday through Friday and can be found at Canada.ca/indigenous-covid-cases.

Community responses to COVID-19 and Government of Canada support

Below are just a few examples of the Government of Canada’s and Indigenous communities’ efforts to support COVID-19 emergency preparedness and recovery.

Supports currently available to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities

Across the country, ISC Regional Offices and Regional Medical Officers of Health remain available to assist First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations should they require immediate assistance with an outbreak or supports such as temporary infrastructure, rapid testing or PPE.

Indigenous communities and organizations can also continue to request needs-based funding from the Indigenous Community Support Fund. This fund provides Indigenous leadership and organizations with the flexibility needed to design and implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare for and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities.

These funds can be used for measures including, but not limited to:

• support for Elders and vulnerable community members;

• measures to address food insecurity, such as support for the purchase, transportation and distribution of food; and traditional foods such as hunting and fishing;

• educational and other support for children;

• mental health assistance and emergency response

services;

• preparedness measures to prevent the spread of

COVID-19.

ISC continues to work with Indigenous communities to collaborate, share information and co-develop Indigenous-led, distinctions-based communications and health response approaches with Indigenous partners, listening to their advice and guidance.