NFN: Updates on Operations During Stay-at-Home Order, COVID-19 Outbreak & Vaccine Rollout

Staff to continue working remotely until May 25th

April 8, 2021 – With Ontario declaring a third  provincial emergency and announcing a provincewide stay-at-home order that came into effect at 12:01 a.m. today, the following changes are to align with the provincial measures that will be in effect for at least four weeks.

These strict new measures were imposed by the province to stay ahead of the new Variants of Concern (VOCs) and due to rapidly increasing case rates, hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy that are threatening to overwhelm the health care system, said Premier Doug Ford.  Between March 28^th and April 5^th, hospitalizations in the province increased by 28.2 per cent and the number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs rose by 25 per cent according to Ontario’s news release.

The stay-at-home order is asking that people remain at their home and on their property unless necessary to leave for essential reasons such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise or for work that cannot be done remotely.

Impacts to our Business Operations

• NFN Offices:  Closed to staff until Tuesday, May 25^th (Monday, May 24^th is Victoria Day).  Staff will work remotely during this time.  Only staff who cannot work from home will be permitted to be on-site to perform their duties.  Our offices remain closed to the public until further notice. This is to minimize contact to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our community in line with enhanced public health measures requiring workplaces to ensure all employees work from home if they can.
• NFN Daycares:  The Couchie Memorial Daycare is closed until further notice due to the declaration of a COVID-19 outbreak focused on the community of Duchesnay that was issued on March 31^st (see the next page for details).  The Nipissing Ojibway Daycare remains open for existing registrants, and where both parents/guardians require childcare due to work obligations.
• NFN Afterschool Program:  Closeduntil Tuesday, May 25^th (subject to change).
• Nbisiing Secondary School:  Virtual classes will continue to be offered until Friday, May 21^st.
  A 2-week active screening for staff and students will be implemented when the school reopens for in-person learning on Tuesday, May 25^th (subject to change).
• NFN Businesses:
  • Essential businesses (providing gas and/or groceries) can continue operating with COVID-19 safety precautions in place.  NFN staff are working with businesses to ensure safety measures are current.
  • Non-essential businesses can be open between 7:00am and 8:00pm for curbside pick-up or delivery by appointment (deliveries are permitted between 6:00am and 9:00pm).  Patrons must pre-order by phone or online before coming to the business (with the exception of convenience stores).
• Shuttle Service (Duchesnay Creek Bridge):  Hours of operation are reduced to 7:00am – 8:00pm.  After-hours service is available for essential trips only and must be pre-arranged by contacting Glenn McLeod at 705-471-7073 during business hours.

Update on COVID-19 Outbreak on NFN

As of April 8^th, the declaration of a COVID-19 outbreak in NFN (focused on the community of Duchesnay) remains in place with seven (7) cases that are known to be linked still listed as active.  The declaration will be lifted when all positive cases are resolved and there is no evidence of further transmission linked to these cases.

Some immediate impacts of declaring this outbreak were the closure of the Couchie Memorial Daycare, the return to virtual learning for Nbisiing Secondary School students and a reduction in the hours of operation for the Duchesnay Bridge Shuttle Services.  These measures will be in place until further notice.  You can read the community notice that was issued on March 31^st on our website.

Update on NFN’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

One of the best ways we can protect ourselves, our families, friends and community members from COVID-19 is getting vaccinated and continuing to follow public health measures.  NFN Health Services has now successfully completed two mass immunization clinics providing 1^st doses of the Moderna vaccine to everyone who had registered.  33 community members considered at highest risk (elders in congregate care settings and their caregivers/service providers) have received their 2^nd doses.

Nearly 1,200 individuals have been vaccinated in NFN to date.  If you have not yet received a 1^st dose and would like to, you are encouraged to call the Health Centre at 705-753-3312 to register as soon as possible. If you have registered and have not yet received a call for a vaccine appointment, please contact the Health Centre to confirm your contact details.

You must register in advance and will then be called for a vaccine appointment based on priority and the time at which you registered.

CRITERIA TO BE ADDED TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE REGISTRATION LIST:

• You are over 16 years old; and
• Live in Nipissing First Nation; or
• Are a Nipissing First Nation member living off-reserve and can attend a vaccine clinic here; or
• You are employed by Nipissing First Nation, or by a business located on NFN.

If you meet the criteria and would like to get the COVID-19 Vaccine, please call to register as soon as possible. We will continue to process registrations until further notice.

PLEASE NOTE: The North Bay Indigenous Hub will be hosting vaccine clinics for the urban Indigenous community of the Nipissing-Parry Sound Districts and can be reached at 705-995-0060 for more information.  If you live in another urban area, please contact your local Health Unit or Friendship Centre.

TO REGISTER FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE, CALL THE LAWRENCE COMMANDA HEALTH CENTRE AT 705-753-3312 TO HAVE YOUR NAME PUT ON THE VACCINE REGISTRATION LIST.
We will not be accepting walk-up/walk-in vaccine appointments. Everyone must be pre-registered.

All plans are subject to change, and we will continue to provide regular updates.  Please CLICK HERE to download the April 8th community notice in PDF format.

STAY INFORMED:

For regular updates about our operations during our extended office closure and for more information about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit nfn.ca/covid19 or read the latest issue of our newsletter, Enkamgak.

Essential Services & Contacts:

Health Services:

• Community Health
• Home and Community Care
• Medical Transportation

Kimberly Lalonde – Director of Health Services
705-753-3312 ext. 2223  |  kiml@nfn.ca

Carole Lafantaisie – Community Health Nurse
705-840-8830  |  chn@nfn.ca

Mental Health & Addictions:

Right Path Essential Client Services
705-753-1375 (please leave a message)
Harm reduction supplies are available every Thursday from 1pm – 4:30pm at 316 Ted Commanda Drive.  Knock at the door and supplies will be prepared for you, or you can call the office or email lisal@nfn.ca to make arrangements. The Suboxone Clinic at the Health Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm and welcomes referrals or self-referrals.
Overdose Prevention Line – 1-888-853-8542

Social Services:

• Ojibway Women’s Lodge
• NFN Food Bank
• Ontario Works
• Child Welfare (Emergency)

Debbie McLeod – Director of Social Services
705-753-2050 ext. 1230 |  debbiem@nfn.ca

Ojibway Women’s Lodge Emergency Line
705-472-3321

Food Bank Access Days
1^st & 3^rd Wednesday of each month
Call 705-753-6972 or email foodbank@nfn.ca for more info.
Download the current month’s order form at nfn.ca/food-bank

Housing:

NFN Apartment Units – Emergency Repairs/Maintenance
705-477-1586

Infrastructure and Public Works:

• Water & Wastewater Treatment
• Garbage & Recycling Pick Up
• Landfill Operations
• Building & Road Maintenance

Steve Doucette – Public Works Manager
705-840-3626  |  steved@nfn.ca

Education & Child Care:

Nancy Allaire – Director of Education
705-753-6995  |  nancya@nfn.ca

Carole Couillard – Nbisiing School Principal
705-497-9938  |  carolec@nbisiing.com

Brandie Fong – Manager of Children’s Services
705-753-3312  |  brandief@nfn.ca

Business Support/Inquiries:

Thomas Lambert – Employment & Training Manager
705-753-6985  |  thomasl@nfn.ca

Ken Hazell – Economic Development Officer
705-753-2050 ext. 1264 | kenh@nfn.ca

Melvin McLeod – Emergency Services Manager
705-498-4407  |  melvinm@nfn.ca

Stop the Spread Business Info Line
1-888-444-3659

For general questions and inquiries, please contact:

Brendan Huston, Chief Executive Officer
705-753-2050 ext. 1222 | brendanh@nfn.ca

Freda Martel, Director of Administration
705-753-2050 ext. 1223 | fredam@nfn.ca

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