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The COVID-19 vaccine may finally be on Canadian soil, but across the country, communities big and small still have a long way to go before they can let down their guard.
For residents of Klahoose First Nation, persistence around social distancing, travel restrictions and other public health protocols has paid off. After an elder in the community was diagnosed with COVID-19 late last month, the First Nation on B.C.’s Cortes Island went into strict lockdown — and their efforts have stopped the spread of the virus in its tracks, Rochelle Baker reports.
With all four of its COVID-19 cases now out of quarantine (three more were detected after the elder’s positive test), Klahoose is working hard to keep its community of 88 safe. Residents have been working around the clock to staff an emergency checkpoint that monitors the comings and goings on the reserve, and contact tracing efforts in Klahoose have helped to fill in the gaps missed by the public health system.
Now, the challenge for the First Nation — and, indeed, many communities across Canada — will be encouraging people to stay within their household bubbles over the holiday season.
“We only have a few elders that actually speak our language, and it’s crucial we look after them,” said Klahoose Chief Kevin Peacey. “We can’t afford to have them catch the (virus).”
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