Statement from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation On COVID-19 February 9th, 2022
Press Release
At this time, we have 9 active cases in the Community, with 1 in hospital. 126 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.
We want to say chi-miigwech to our Community Health professionals and to our COVID-19 Working Group, who have been working very hard through this pandemic to help keep our Community safe.
Return to in-person Programming
At this point, MCFN Chief and Council have identified February 22nd, 2022 as the tentative 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.
Rapid Antigen Test Kit Giveaway
MCFN will be offering a drive-through Rapid Antigen Test kit giveaway on Saturday February 12th, beginning at 9:00am, and will run until all kits are distributed. This COVID-19 friendly pick up will take place at the Community Centre. Please follow the traffic signs and remain in your vehicle. There is no registration required, but you must come in person to receive a kit. Kits are limited to one kit per household not per vehicle (two (or more) in a car from different households is acceptable, please be prepared to show proof of different addresses if asked.) MCFN Status Card must be presented in order to receive the kit. Please be patient and be prepared for long wait times
Vaccine Clinic
Our Children’s Clinic is scheduled for February 18th, 2022. If you have any questions or would like to check availability of appointments, please contact our Community Health team at 905-768-0141.
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 Precautions and Restrictions
Effective January 31, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Chief and Council approved the following precautions for MCFN:
- Social gathering limits are 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors (currently 5 indoors and 10 outdoors)
- Capacity limits are 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to restaurants and other food or drink establishments, retailers, recreational fitness facilities, including gyms and religious services, rites, or ceremonies.
- Private businesses will no longer be required to collect personal information for the purposes of contact tracing. Please note however, that this practice will continue for in person programming within in the organization.
Council is permitting OPP to answer reports of violations of the above precautions.
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 above Public Health Units for a PCR test, and to follow up with our Community Health Nurse for information on isolation requirements.
Please contact the following Public Health Offices and follow their instructions:
- 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.
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. 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.
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.
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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