Sask. First Nation in lockdown with 82 confirmed COVID-19 cases and counting

The Big River First Nation is inlockdown as COVID-19 case numbers soar and one official expects more bad news in the coming days.

With an on-reserve population of 2,600 and 82 confirmed cases, the Big River First Nation has one of the highest per capitarates in Saskatchewan.

More than three per cent of Big River'spopulation is infected. Saskatoon has recorded the highest totalnumber of cases in the province, but its per capita rate is less than halfof one per cent.

Most of the Big River cases remain active, with two in hospital, said Big River community navigator Ronnie Netmaker.

Netmaker said the school is closedand security guards"have been working non-stop to keep thecommunity safe" at the four entrances to the First Nation, about120 kilometres northwest of Prince Albert. Only residents andessential service workers are allowed to enter. Only adult residents are allowed out, and only for groceries or medical appointments.

Netmaker said band members were proud of the precautions they took at the start of the pandemic in the spring.Big River remained COVID-free until a few weeks ago. He said there are several possible sources for the current outbreak, but one confirmed link is the Prince Albert gospel church services that have spread COVID-19throughout Northern Saskatchewan.

He said the band isdoing its best to protect elders and those with health conditions. He said elders and children are having a hard time coping with the restrictions on socializing.

"The isolation is really getting to people. It's wearing them down," he said.

Netmaker said Big River could use more federal funding and other help for security, hygeine and other costs.

According to a Facebook post by the Big River First Nation Health Centre, officials expect the case count to grow because of the "hundreds" of close contacts identified to this point.

The post warns everyone to wash their hands, stay distanced and take all other precautions. It gives times and locations for the testing location in the community.

"If we don't work together we're going to see more and more cases and more sickness,"the post says.

"Again we are in a critical state with COVID and we need to work together."

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