With the first positive test for the novel coronavirus in Manitoba having been reported on the morning of March 12 and two additional positive tests being reported by the provincial government around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, events in Thompson and elsewhere are being cancelled and various organizations taking a closer look at their emergency preparedness plans.
In addition to a woman from her 40s who lives in the Winnipeg area and was exposed to the virus, also known as COVID-19, during a recent trip to the Philippines, Manitoba Health says two more people – both men in their 30s who live in the Winnipeg area – have tested positive for the coronavirus. These two additional cases are also believed to be the result of exposure during recent travel. People who were on a Philippines Airlines flight from Manila to Incheon, South Korea and on Air Canada flights from Incheon to Vancouver and from Vancouver to Winnipeg March 7-8 may have been exposed to the virus. They are being asked to self-monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee told the Thompson Citizen that his organization has been holding biweekly meetings with federal and provincial health officials to ensure they have the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus situation.
“We’re doing the utmost to communicate with First Nations,” he says, in an effort to ensure they can provide their members with accurate information rather than the sometimes inaccurate and exaggerated information circulated on social media. “We have a clinical team meeting every day.”
In addition to western medicine, Settee says traditional healers are also looking at natural medicines that may be of benefit.
“It’s getting close to home,” he said, after the first positive test in Manitoba was announced. “We have to be diligent.”
Settee also said that First Nations are better prepared for this situation than they would have been in the past, as pandemic plans were developed after the H1N1 flu hit Northern Manitoba First Nations hard in 2009.
“We need to follow those plans,” he said, though many communities are still not capable of dealing with a large-scale health emergency and are in contact with Northern stores and the government to try to ensure supplies that are needed for sanitation and in nursing stations are well-stocked. “First Nations communities do not have the resources needed to combat these epidemics. We want to educate. We want to prepare. We want to make sure people are informed, cautious but not panicking.”
Churchill-Keewatinook Aski NDP MP Niki ashton brought up the issue of the vulnerability of First Nations in her riding to the coronavirus pandemic in the House of Commons March 12.
“People the Island lake region are sounding the alarm – no running water, overcrowded housing, no hospital, nowhere to self-isolate and get treatment,” said Ashton. “Meanwhile the government is talking conference calls, hand sanitizer and testing tents. These are First World responses to a Third World reality. This government needs to get real about what First Nations are facing on the ground. These communities need urgent infrastructure now and before the winter road season shuts down.”
“In light of the COVID19 virus we are exploring all options to address these challenges including providing temporary isolation facilities and additional health staff for communities as needed,” Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller told Ashton. “These supports for Indigenous communities are absolutely not limited by financial capacity. We continue to work closely with communities to co-ordinate resources. They are and will be there.”
Cancellations of public gatherings are beginning to affect Thompson, with Trapper’s Tavern having cancelled its Chase the Ace fundraiser until further notice and Thompson NDP MLA Danielle Adams cancelling the planned opening of her constituency office on March 14. R.D. Parker Collegiate band students who were supposed to be heading to the Brandon Jazz Festival next week were informed March 12 that the festival has been cancelled.
At the City of Thompson’s public safety committee meeting March 12, Thompson Fire & Emergency Services Chief Mike Bourgon said the department’s firefighter/paramedics have nearly 600 respirator masks available to wear on calls involving people suffering from respiratory problems that could be symptoms of COVID-19.
“We do have the PPE [personal protective equipment] right now,” he said. “We’ve got our goggles, we’ve got our gowns and we’ve got our gloves.”
City manager Anthony McInnis said the city is customizing its business continuity plan to reflect the realities of the coronovirus pandemic.
Mayor Colleen Smook, who decided to self-isolate herself after learning that someone who attended the same mining convention as her in Toronto last week had tested positive for COVID-19, participated in the meeting by phone.
Vale employees from Thompson who attended the same conference as Smook are working from home until after school spring break.
“A global coronavirus response committee was created when the issue first surfaced and complementing committees are in place across our operations,” said Tara Ritchie of Vale Manitoba Operations in a March 11 email. “Vale has also restricted all non-essential work travel, consistent with global health authority travel advisories and with our value of Life Matters Most.”
