Statement from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation On COVID-19 February 16th, 2022
Press Release
February 16th, 2022
At this time, we have 5 active cases in the Community, impacting 3 households. 1 is currently in hospital. 133 total cases have been resolved, with 2 deaths. We are asking residents to please inform our Community Health Nurse Maggie Copeland if you have tested positive on a rapid test. Maggie can be reached at 905-516-7300 from 8 am – 8pm.
Return to in-person Programming
MCFN Chief and Council have identified February 22nd, 2022 as the formal return to work date for all MCFN staff. It is anticipated that all MCFN offices will re-open to the public with enhanced COVID-19 precautions in place, effective February 28th, 2022. This will include the official return to in-person programming for all Lifelong Learning programs, including Ekwaamjigenang Children’s Centre, EarlyON and Lloyd S. King Elementary School.
As outlined in our COVID-19 Policy, all offices will continue to require a two-staged screening upon entering a MCFN workplace, including a temperature check.
Until this date, please note the following:
- Lifelong Learning programs, including Ekwaamjigenang Children’s Centre, EarlyON and Lloyd S. King Elementary School will continue to operate remotely;
- Necessary Social and Health Services programming, such as the Flu Shot and Immunization Clinics will continue, with enhanced COVID-19 precautions in place;
- LMR will be deemed essential for Community Wellness applications and on-reserve status cards;
- Payments to MCFN will continue to be made online or in person at the Administration building (front desk only).
- All offices will be manned by a Receptionist between the hours of 8:30 – 4:30. Please note, the phones will go to voice mail during the lunch period of 12:00-1:00.
If you require emergency assistance relating to Social and Health Programs, you can contact their land line at 905-768-1181. If you require emergency Administrative support, please contact Kerri L. King, Acting Chief Operating Officer / Executive Director of Operations, at 289-527-0364.
COVID-19 Precautions and Restrictions
Effective February 17, 2022 MCFN Chief and Council have approved the further ease public health measures, including but not limited to:
- Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
- Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
- Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including:
- Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
- Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
- The MCFN gym will continue to be by appointment only, with a maximum of six people.
In line with the Provincial Guidance, all remaining capacity limits will be lifted effective March 1st, 2022. Please note, all MCFN operations will continue with capacity limits in place until further notice. Council is permitting OPP to answer reports of violations of the above precautions.
Vaccine Clinic
We will be having a Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Friday, February 18th
from 9 – 2 pm at the MCFN Community Centre. If you wish to register, please call Social & Health at 905-768-0141 ext 240 or email vaccine@mncfn.ca by Thursday, February 17th by 4pm. Any calls received after will be placed on a stand-by list
If you have any questions about the vaccine please reach out to vaccine@mncfn.ca and a Member of our Community Health team will follow-up. Please ensure you are always receiving information on the Vaccine from a reliable source to avoid the spread of misinformation.
COVID-19 Symptoms – When to seek Testing
Symptoms include any of the following:
- fever or chills
- cough
- shortness of breath
- decreased or loss of taste or smell
OR any two (2) or more of the following:
- runny nose or nasal congestion
- headache
- extreme fatigue
- sore throat
- muscle aches or joint pain
- gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea)
Testing and Isolation Periods
Due to the increased demand with testing, there is a delay for testing and results. We do however, encourage you to self-identify as a First Nation person, in order to speed up the process. If you test positive on a Rapid Antigen Test, we encourage you to reach out to the Public Health Units below for a PCR test, and to follow up with our Community Health Nurse for information on isolation requirements:
- Haldimand Norfolk Public Health – 519-426-6170, ext. 9999
- Six Nations COVID-19 Assessment Centre – 1-855-977-7737 or 226-446-9909
- Brant County Public Health – 519-751-5818 or at assessment@bchsys.org
You can also reach out to the West Haldimand General Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 905-768-3311, extension 1113, to arrange testing.
Please note, the MCFN Community Health Office is not a Public Health Office, although it does assist with contact tracing and wellness checks for those who reside on MCFN.
Those who are required to self-monitor, and who are fully immunized should:
- Wear a mask and maintain physical distancing when outside of the home to reduce the risk of transmission to others in the event they become a case;
- Self-monitor for symptoms daily and self-isolate immediately if symptoms develop.
If you have not received the vaccine and have come in contact with a positive case, you still must self-isolate for 14 days.
The MCFN Chief and Council have approved that effectively immediately, individuals who are positive with COVID-19 and who are fully vaccinated (at least 2 doses) and are not immunocompromised, as well as children under 12 years of age, will be required to self-isolate for at least 5 days after the days their symptoms begin. Individuals may come out of isolation after this period and once they are symptom free for a period of 24 hours. To note, this 5-day isolation period does not apply to those who are unvaccinated or work in the highest risk settings.
If you require other information or supports, we encourage you to look to our website and social media for relevant contact numbers and resources.
The MCFN Chief and Council are responsible for making decisions that affect the Membership. If you have any concerns, please contact any member of the table.
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