First Nation coronavirus preparedness questioned, but experts say risk remains low in Manitoba

While experts say the risk of exposureis currently low for Manitobans, questions were raised Wednesdayaboutthe level of preparedness on First Nations in the provincefor dealing with the novel coronavirus.

A panel of public health specialists held a public forum at the University of Manitoba on Wednesday afternoon to answer questions about the impact of the new virus on people and communities in Canada, and throughout the world.

Inez Vystrcil-Spence of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation wondered if remotecommunities, like hers, are equipped to deal with it.

"We're hearing from emergency rooms, from systems, from governments [and] departments. They feel ready. But I am just in here to slip in a little note that are you ready for us? Are you ready for something to happen in a remote community?"

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Vystrcil-Spence recalledher time as incident commander during the H1N1 pandemic.

Remote northern communities were hit hard by that outbreak of respiratory illness 11 years ago, whichVystrcil-Spenceattributed to jurisdictional issues over who has authority when it comes to First Nations.

Many nursing stations are understaffed, Vystrcil-Spencesaid on Wednesdayafternoon.

Community members are being advised to cough and sneeze into their elbow and wash their hands inFirst Nations that rely on "fragile" water systems or lack running water, she said. Suppliessuch ashand sanitizertake time to reach places that areaccessible only by flight or winter road.

AMCworking on a plan

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs will begathering this week to addressan emergency preparedness plan for First Nations in the province.

Its leadership is working with all levels of governmentto initiateplans in communities,and will provide more information in the upcoming days,according to a press release issued after Wednesday's panel.

"First Nations have an increased susceptibility to outbreaks due to social determinants of health, poverty factorsand overcrowding housing conditions that make it easier to spread community-wide," Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said in the release.

Dr. John Embil is an infectious disease control specialist at Health Sciences Centre, who understands why people are worried about the new virus being introduced to their communities.

"We don't know what's coming at us and when it's coming at us, but we've got a number of protocols in place so that if we are faced with something there are policies and practices in place," he said.

Embil said health officials won't be caught off-guard. While similarinfection control measures are still in place, hospitals are ramping up to prepare for the worst.

"What we're trying to do locally is reinforce basic approaches to keeping well and preventing the spread of germs as you would normally do."

Fear stokes discrimination

Case numbers are increasing in China and inHubei, the Chinese province at the centre of the epidemic.

The number of cases of the new coronavirushas climbed to more than 24,600worldwide, with close to 500 deaths. There have been five cases in Canada to date three in Ontario and two in British Columbia.

Aconcern raised by the panel is that fear of the unknowncould stoke discrimination here.

Second-year dental hygiene student Juliet Yiduo Zhao wasnot aware of any incidents of discrimination in Winnipeg. She said she doesn't feel like she has been treated differently, and she hasn't heard about itfrom her friends in the city.

Through online forums she has heard of Chinese peoplein Toronto, for example, who are being blamed for its origin and spread.

"I just feel sorry for these people, and all the human beings who have to suffer," she said.

Manitoba's top public health official said the public must be on guard against divisive attitudes.

"We know that fear and stigma can often be a virus'sgreatest ally. So we need people to understand the real risks involved. And the proper steps involved to prevent it," said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer.

Low risk in Manitoba

Although the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency over coronavirus, Roussin saidpeople living in the province are at a low risk to get it.

Roussin discourages the general public from usingofface masks, which arebeing sold out in some Winnipeg stores.

Masks are not typicallynecessary, he said, unless someone has a respiratory illness or works in health care.

Roussin is among Canadian health officials who are stressingthey are prepared to deal with an outbreak in the country.

According to Prof. Kevin Coombs, a microbiologist in the University of Manitoba'sinfectious disease department, the biggest concern is that the virus is still new to everyone.

He said it could be a "flash in the pan"or the "tip of the iceberg," as the public health situation continues to evolve.

"To put all of this in context, in the amount of time that this particular event has occurred, about 100 times as many people have died from influenza," Coombs said.

"Even more have died from HIV or tuberculosis or malaria."