Statement from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation On COVID-19 Oct. 24, 2020

Press Release

The MCFN Chief and Council and the COVID-19 Working Group are continuing to actively take precautions and actions to address the potential impacts of COVID-19 within our Nation.

Currently, we have no active cases of COVID-19 in the community, and four are deemed resolved. We are fortunate that these numbers have not been higher. We must say chi-miigwech to everyone for being diligent and taking the necessary precautions to ensure COVID-19 exposure is reduced.

Halloween Recommendations

Due to the high number of active cases in the immediate surrounding areas, Chief and Council are highly recommending that families refrain from the traditional door to door trick or treating. Although it is fully understood that Halloween is a special and enjoyable time for our families, we encourage everyone to enjoy Halloween in a COVID-19 safe manner this year. Social and Health Services have organized various stay at home activities for the community and there will be an exciting Halloween contest announced shortly. Further, there will be fun family activities promoted through our EarlyON Facebook Group.

MCFN Organizational Operations

We are now nearing the end of week one of the community wide, voluntary self-isolation. As a reminder, the organization is operating with reduced staffing, and only offering essential services at this time. The MCFN Administration Building will continue to be manned during the shutdown period. If you require MCFN assistance, please contact 905-768-1133, and the Reception will direct your call to the appropriate party. Phone lines will be open between the hours of 8:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:30pm daily, excluding weekends. Offices will resume regular operations (COVID restrictions in place) as of November 2^nd, 2020, at 8:30am. Please remember that an appointment is needed prior to attending any office in person. Further, please be aware that prior to entry, all visitors will be subject to a two-staged screening process, which includes a temperature check.

All current Social and Health Services initiatives will be continuing status quo, as will all LSK online classes. Please note, we are requesting that all payments be made via the on-line banking process, or that they be held until the offices re-open.

Organizational Processes

Please note, the safety and well-being of our staff, our community and our members is paramount. The MCFN have implemented a number of measures to ensure the gradual resumption of services and the safe return of employees to the office. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Physical Distancing – such as flexible schedules, visual cues such as physical distancing markers on the floor and virtual meetings.
• Engineering Controls – such as work place modifications, barriers and restricting equipment usage.
• Administrative Controls – such as passive/active screening, common area usage and limited business travel.
• Personal Protective Equipment & Non-Medical Masks – masking requirements in common areas and where the 2-metre rule cannot be followed.

Further, we will be maintaining entry logs for each workplace, in the event contact tracing becomes necessary. We ask that everyone cooperate with these requirements by readily providing your name and contact number.

In the event there is an increased risk of exposure to a confirmed or probable case in the organization, an environmental clean will be performed by an outside consultant. If a workplace needs to be closed to ensure the safety of everyone, this will be done.

A Confirmed Case is a person with laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

A Probable Case is a person (who has not had a laboratory test) with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 AND traveled to an affected area (including inside of Canada) in the 14 days prior to symptom onset; had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19; OR lived in or worked in a facility known to be experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19, such as a long term care home or prison OR is a person with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 AND In whom laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 is inconclusive.

Staff who have had direct close contact and exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded from work for 14 days or until the end of their designated quarantine period. This is consistent with Public Health recommendations.

Public Health Guidelines

In accordance with Public Health guidelines, the MCFN Chief and Council are encouraging all members to adhere to the following:

• Limit yourself to essential travel only (to get groceries, go to work, go to the pharmacy, doctor visits)
• Practice social distancing measures, including maintaining a distance of 2 meters with those outside of your social bubble, wearing a mask when in public and when social distancing is not possible
• Practice frequent hand washing with soap and warm water, or sanitizing hands when hand washing is not available
• Limit social bubbles to members of your household
• Refrain from all types of social gatherings, both on and off the territory
• Ensure full cooperation with the Community Health Nurse or Public Health, in the event of contact tracing.

For the purposes of COVID-19 exposure, please note that Close Contact is a person who:

• Provided care for case (health care worker, family and caregivers)
• Had close physical contact (e.g. intimate partner) without consistent and appropriate use of PPE
• Live with or had prolonged (>15 min.) close contact (within 2 m) with a probable or confirmed case
• 48 hours prior to symptom onset while the case was not self-isolating.
• Had direct contact with infectious body fluids of a case (e.g. was coughed or sneezed on or shared personal items) without the appropriate use of PPE.

Non-Close Contact is a person who:

• Provided care for the case, (health care worker, family members or other caregivers)
• Had other similar close physical contact with consistent and appropriate use of PPE and the case was self-isolating.
• Lived with or had contact (<15 min.), not within 2 m. of a case while the case was symptomatic and not self-isolating.

Please note, it is of the utmost importance that your health card information is updated if you are going through the testing process. If, for example, your address is incorrect, it will make it very difficult for Public Health to contact you with your results.

Nearby Outbreaks

Please be advised that the Haldimand Norfolk Public Health unit has made the decision to close a local golfing establishment. In the event you were at the Monthill Golf and Country Club over the Thanksgiving weekend, please consider being tested. Additionally, Main 88, a restaurant in Hagersville, has temporarily closed their doors due to COVID-19.

Precautions

In addition, the MCFN Chief and Council would like to remind everyone how important it is to take these additional personal precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. These include:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Ensure you practice good respiratory hygiene. Cover your cough or sneeze with your bent elbow or tissue, then dispose of the tissue immediately.
• Be cognizant of travel advisories. If you travel outside of Canada, it is important to self-isolate upon re-entry to the country.
• If you feel ill, stay home. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and follow their instructions.

Correspondence will be provided to all MCFN businesses, asking them to also join us in this community wide self-isolation.

Public Health Information

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact the following Public Health Offices and follow their instructions:

• Haldimand Norfolk Public Health – 519-426-6170, ext. 9999
• Six Nations Public Health – 519-445-2672
• Brant County Public Health – 519-751-5818 or via email at assessment@bchsys.org
• Outside of regular business hours, you can contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000

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.

We cannot stress enough, how important it is to follow the Public Health guidelines. We learned during the first wave, that we can effectively curve the spread of COVID-19 when we work together.  Let’s keep our community safe.

The MCFN Chief and Council are responsible for making decisions that impact the Membership. If you have any concerns, please contact any member of the table.

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