COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: active cases on-reserve surpass 1,000

There are 1,125 active cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves across Canada, as the number of new and active cases continues to surge.

As of Nov. 16, a total of 547 new cases were reported in the last week, according todata from Indigenous Services Canada. The majority occurred in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

There have been a total of 2,597 cases on-reserve since the pandemic started. Seven additional hospitalizations were reported since last week, bringing the total to 120, and three additional deaths were reported, bringing the death toll to 20. The number of First Nations people who have recovered from the disease reached 1,452.

As of Nov. 9, the rateof First Nations individuals living on-reserve reported positive for COVID-19 is currently one-half the rate of the general Canadian population and the fatality rate on-reserve is about one-fifth that of the fatality rate in the general Canadian population.

In Nunavut, the territory had reported 60 cases totalas of Tuesday, afteritsfirst confirmed case was identified on Nov. 6. The territory will enter a mandatory restriction period for two weeksstarting Nov. 18, where all non-essential services, businesses and organizations will be required to close and wherever possible, switch to work from home.

Total cases on First Nations reserves per region reported as of Nov. 16:

• British Columbia: 186
• Alberta: 620
• Saskatchewan: 458
• Manitoba: 518
• Ontario: 164

Pandemic stories

• COVID-19is spreading so fast in a remote northern Saskatchewan Dene community that responders are overwhelmed. A state of emergency was declared in Fond du Lac, which is about 1,275 km northwest of Prince Albert, on Friday after the water treatment plant began to experience mechanical failures and the Athabasca Health Authority reported the first case of COVID-19 in the community. Thirty-seven cases had been diagnosed in the community as of Monday.
  
• The Rod McGillivary Memorial Care Home in the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba is dealing with a coronavirus outbreak. Infections so far include all 28 of its residents and 13 of the home's 48 workers, said Onekanew (Chief) Christian Sinclair. Rhonda Head, a mezzo-soprano performer from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, organized an online concert Monday evening called Music is Medicine to offer solace to her community.
  
• Schools are closed in Manawan, Que., as COVID-19 spreads in the Atikamekw First Nation.
  
• As COVID-19 cases rise, the Chief of Smith's Landing First Nationwants to close anice road between Fort Smith, N.W.T., and Fort Chipewyan, Alta.,this winter due to COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

• new or worsening cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• temperature equal to or over 38C
• feeling feverish
• chills
• fatigue or weakness
• muscle or body aches
• new loss of smell or taste
• headache
• gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting)
• feeling very unwell

If you think you may have COVID-19, please consult your local health department to book an appointment at a screening clinic.

CBC Indigenous is looking to hear from First Nations, Mtis, and Inuit who have contracted COVID-19. If you would like to share your experience, please email us at indigenous@cbc.ca.