Forest fire evacuations are leading to a rise in COVID-19 cases in one northern community.
On Friday the Northern Inter Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) declared an outbreak at Buffalo River Dene Nation. NITHA’s Medical Health Officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka explained the current situation is due to residents being forced to leave due to the recent wildfires.
“Prior to the evacuation order that was issued July 3, there were zero active cases in the community, so the evacuation process really played a central role in the resurgence of cases we are seeing,” he said.
Currently there are 66 active cases of COVID-19 in Buffalo River Dene Nation. Ndubuka added besides the evacuation, other risk factors may have played a role, such as inter provincial travel.
Measures were put in place to try to protect against the virus spreading during the evacuation. This included screening people before they left and screening them again when they arrived at their destination. Testing was also being offered.
Ndubuka said while there were processes in place to limit the spread of the virus there are people who may have left on their own and not gone through the formal evacuation processes.
“Things might likely fall through the cracks,” he said.
Going forward Ndubuka said NITHA is looking to do some debrief work to see where improvements can be made when it comes to handling similar events in the future.
“There’s always key lessons that we continue to learn in terms of how to better manage the next event,” he said.
The most recent vaccination information available for Buffalo River Dene Nation show 34 per cent of those 12 and older had received their first dose, while 21 per cent had received both doses. Ndubuka said these figures need to be higher.
“Our challenge is around the low vaccine up take,” he said.
Going forward NITHA is looking to improve their communities’ vaccination numbers by working to further educate people about vaccines. Ndubuka said they are also looking to work with community leaders and elders to encourage and increase vaccine uptake.
Ndubuka said they want residents to know there are vaccines available to them and they are encouraging anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to look at getting vaccinated as soon as possible. Ndubuka added getting a shot is vital for people to protect themselves along with more vulnerable members of their community.
“Especially pregnant women or children 11 years and younger or those who might have medical conditions that might make them ineligible to get the vaccine,” he said.
(The Northern Inter Tribal Health Authority is encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19: Photo Courtesy of Government of Saskatchewan)