LONG LAKE 58 FIRST NATION, Ont. — The Chief of Long Lake # 58 First Nation says every resident of the community is on board with the lockdown that was imposed this week after several residents tested positive for COVID-19.
Only essential services personnel are allowed to enter the First Nation, and the local school and general store are both closed.
Chief Judy Desmoulins said she advised residents to "be strong, and don't panic. We'll beat this."
According to Desmoulins, four members of a family all tested positive as the result of close contact with someone who had the virus.
However, none of them are showing symptoms.
The community is now waiting for the results of COVID-19 tests on 21 other potential contacts.
Desmoulins said she's pleased with the followup work being done by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
"We were fortunate for the longest time. I'm sure we can contain it. We have a good team here."
Aroland First Nation, 60 kilometres north of Geraldton, went into lockdown on the weekend after its first case of COVID-19 was reported.
Chief Dorothy Towedo said a large number of local residents were potentially exposed to the virus, including some at New Year's gatherings.
Pending the outcome of contact tracing and tests, members of the First Nation were directed to isolate at home.
The band council also said no one would be allowed to enter or leave the community in the interim.
Towedo could not be reached Wednesday to update the situation in Aroland.
