Minister Ng participates in Ontario Tech University panel on Indigenous entrepreneurship
Pres Release
Lax Kw’alaams Residents Only may travel on the following basis:
- All residents may travel to leave the community, however re-entry will be strictly monitored as per the following guidelines:
- Patient Travel is allowed for all residents, providing the appropriate approvals are made through the Patient Travel Clerk. Patient Travel documentation must be carried with you for re-entry into the Community. Patients who have not met the “vaccination threshold” will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return.
- Vaccination Threshold – Residents that have had either one or two doses of the Moderna, Pfizer or Astra-Zeneca vaccine, plus 14 days, will be deemed to have met the Vaccination Threshold. This will also apply to residents that have had one dose of the Johnson & Johnson or vaccine, plus 14 days.
Non-Resident Lax Kw’alaams Members
- May not enter the community at this time, regardless of their vaccination status.
Essential Workers
- Essential workers and specific contractors may be authorized to enter the community to carry-out work as per a clear safety plan worked out with the Band Administration.
- Contractors will be under strict guidance not to interact with community members.
Children under the age of 18
- It is not recommended that children leave the community as they can pick up and transmit COVID to our elders, their friends and members that are not vaccinated.
- If a child does travel with their parents or guardian, upon return the 14-day isolation would be required for the children.
- Since our school is already set up for home school, children can do their school from home for the 14-day period.
- Vaccinated parents returning with their children, do not need to isolate.
Committee Overview
The Lax Kw’aaams Band continues to monitor the current situation in both the Northern Region as well as throughout the Province of BC. It is noted that there has been COViD cases still in Prince Rupert but has been slowing down considerably, the Acropolis is now declared clear . No cases presently of COVID in the community. The numbers have been falling in BC slowly, Terrace is remains at a low COViD rate. The Emergency Measures Committee (EMC) met with Council’s Health Committee on March 17th, 2021 to consider the advice to go out to community.
Our FNHA representative has recommended that members that have the first dose of any approved vaccine should be able to travel to and from Lax Kw’alaams safely. Our approved corridor is Prince Rupert thru Terrace. We will revisit this again in the next couple weeks, depending on the cases presenting in the area.
We all still need to do our part and help each other through this transition. We are encouraging all -residents to be responsible, always wear your mask, wash and sanitize your hands as often as possible, when you get home, change your clothes.
Herd immunity is classified as a population of 70% or greater that have been vaccinated for COVID-19. In this community we have reached that threshold and have hit approx. 75% of adults.
Evidence-Based Information
One common misunderstanding is that 95% efficacy means that in the clinical trial, 5% of vaccinated people got COVID. But that’s not true; the actual percentage of vaccinated people in the Moderna and Pfizer trials who got COVID-19 was about a hundred times less than that: 0.04%. and their symptoms were mild. Keeping this in mind, information is changing daily and it is still very important to wear masks and sanitize your hands regularly.
“Dr. Chris Gill, an infectious disease specialist at Boston University, points out that a single injection of Pfizer’s vaccine may be even more effective than the previous estimate suggests. Looking at data from a smaller window, Gill says the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may have an efficacy rate as high as 80 or 90% with just a single dose. Moderna actually collected data from people who only received one dose of its vaccine, Gill says. Moderna’s phase three clinical trial of 40,000+, 2,000 participants received just a single injection, for unknown reasons, they did not receive the second. In that population, the efficacy of the single vaccine dose was roughly 80 to 90%.” “[Moderna] was not shy about showing that a single dose was so effective, and they do the math right,” Gill says. “After 14 days, the [single dose] vaccine is remarkably effective.”
Even though you have been vaccinated it is imperative to wear your mask at all times and sanitize your hands at every opportunity. Masks are still to be worn in all public buildings in community and out.
Important Reminders
- Please be aware, if you have been in direct contact with a COViD + person you must self isolate for a period of 14 days, whether you are vaccinated or not.
- We remain one of only a few communities in BC that has not contracted COVID -19 and we just would like to keep everyone safe.
- We are encouraging all members to not travel if you do not have to, until Prince Rupert is declared clear.
- Any resident that has not been vaccinated yet but wishes to be, can contact the vaccination line 1-866-481-2175 to make an appointment.
- FNHA and Northern health currently have vaccination clinics under way in Prince Rupert.
- There continues to be no confirmed variants reported in the North. If there is a change in this status, we will meet again immediately to discuss the next steps.
- Any violations will result in a $750.00 fine as per EMC committee agreement.
Any resident traveling, must have their Vaccine Card present and be able to verify they have passed their 14 days.
BC-CDC is an important web site to refer to if you have questions or concerns, or come to the clinic and ask a nurse, as this site can be difficult to navigate.
Please Be Kind & Encourage your Neighbours, that Following the Rules Keep Everyone Safe!
Please contact Lisa Green, Assistant to the CAO if any questions: 250-625-3293 ext. 242
Be safe,
Garry Reece, Mayor
IBF5
