Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

(Enniska/February 25, 2020) The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is continuing to provide updates regarding the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak as well as the NAV Centre quarantine site.

GENERAL UPDATES

• On Friday, Feb. 21, the evacuees from the Diamond Princess ship arrived at NAV Centre in Cornwall, Ontario to begin a 14-day quarantine, “out of an abundance of caution” according to Dr. Paul Roumeliotis of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHO). They were first screened in Trenton, Ontario for signs of the virus.

• A total of 151 people arrived at NAV Centre and began their quarantine, including 129 passengers and 22 crew.

• Upon arrival, one guest was tested for the COVID-19 virus as he reported feeling unwell. The test results on Saturday, Feb. 22 were negative for the virus.

• Should anyone test positive at NAV Centre, they will not be transferred back to Trenton as previously reported. They will be isolated in their room unless medical treatment is needed, and in that case they will be taken to Cornwall Community Hospital or an Ottawa hospital. The EOHU, Public Health, and Nav Centre team have included the local emergency services and hospitals in their notifications and planning.

• On Sunday, Feb. 23 one quarantined traveller at NAV Centre was transported to the Cornwall Community Hospital for medical attention unrelated to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). All procedures were followed with no issues.

• On Sunday, Feb. 23, six Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) medical staff and one Government of Canada employee who accompanied the returning travellers on the chartered flight from Japan to Trenton and then to the NAV Centre in Cornwall were released from the quarantine.

• The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, explained the decision was taken as these seven individuals “followed appropriate infection prevention and control protocols (including the use of personal protective equipment), and that they did not have unprotected contact with passengers or persons at risk of having the novel coronavirus. As a result of this assessment, I have determined that their continued quarantine is not required.”

• The remaining 15 crew members could be released as early as today, Feb. 25, 2020, if cleared to do so.

• The Trenton, Ontario quarantine site will be closed after today as the final individuals there have been released from Quarantine.

• As a result of the Trenton site closing, the main testing center will be relocated to NAV Centre. This will result in faster, on-site test results.

• Daily meetings and updates continue to occur.

CANADIAN DATA

As of February 24, 2020, 10 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Canada. In addition, the Government of British Columbia reported their seventh case of COVID-19. The province has sent the presumptive positive sample to the National Microbiology Laboratory for further testing. If confirmed by the laboratory, this would be Canada’s eleventh confirmed case.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada. Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available.

WHO DATA/SITUATION IN NUMBERS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports the following statistical data on the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus):

• Globally - 79,331 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (715 new)

• China - 77, 262 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (415 new)

• Deaths in China: 2595 confirmed (150 new)

• Outside of China - 2069 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (300 new) in 29 countries

• Deaths outside of China - 23 (6 new)

WHO RISK ASSESSMENT

• China: Very High

• Regional Level: High

• Global Level: High

WHO RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC

During previous outbreaks due to other coronavirus (Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), human-to-human transmission occurred through droplets, contact and fomites, suggesting that the transmission mode of the COVID-19 can be similar.

The basic principles to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections include the following:

• Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.

• Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.

• Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.

• People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).

• Within health care facilities, enhance standard infection prevention and control practices in hospitals, especially in emergency departments.

WHO does not recommend any specific health measures for travellers. In case of symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness either during or after travel, travellers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider.