Oki Kainaiwa,
Today, the Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) reported that we are still at zero (0) cases on the Blood Reserve and thank everyone for their actions in keeping our community safe. We need to remain vigilant by keeping up in wearing face masks, social distancing and practicing safe hand hygiene by washing hands for 20 seconds and using hand sanitizer.
Please note the announcement of recent changes to COVID-19 testing, which is no longer available to those who do not show symptoms or are asymptomatic. The testing is only available to those who are sick with symptoms; those who have been told they were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19; and those linked to an outbreak declared by Alberta Health Services. Please call (403) 737-8411 if you have any questions.
We also want to strongly encourage all community members to get their flu shot this year. BTDH offers flu vaccine clinics that you can book an appointment for you and your family by calling Community Health at (403) 737-3933.
In an effort to keep the numbers as low as possible, please continue to follow these guidelines:
• Respect the reserve-wide curfew: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Restrict travel
o Non-members are to continue through the Reserve without stopping in communities to purchase gas, confectionery items etc
o Blood Tribe members – essential reasons only
• Wear face masks in public – public facilities require them. Free face masks are available at most local Blood Reserve businesses
• Keep gatherings limited to 15 indoors and 50 outdoors
• Please continue to practice:
o Physical distancing of two metres (six feet)
o Safe hand hygiene – do not touch your face, cover coughing and sneezing with an elbow, wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
o Cleaning and disinfecting common surfaces
• If feeling sick/ill (sore throat, fever, coughing, headache), please call (403) 737-8411 and stay home to avoid contact with other people by self-isolating, and follow the instructions of our health professionals
As we approach Halloween, we ask everyone to begin making plans to be safe this year. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare to Trick-or-Treat on the Reserve (information provided by AHS):
• Stay home if feeling ill, even if symptoms are small.
• Minimize contact with others – trick-or-treat with family or ‘bubble/cohort’, remain in your community and stay 2 meters apart!
• Wash hands and disinfect packages before eating candy.
• Choose costumes that allow a non-medical mask to be worn underneath (make sure you can see and breathe comfortably!)
• Avoid touching doorbells or railings and use hand sanitizer after touching surfaces.
• Call “trick or treat” from 2 meters away.
• If you choose to stay home and hand out candy – do not hand out candy if you’re feeling sick/ill. Wear a non-medical face mask covering your nose and mouth and use tongs to hand out pre-packaged candy.
Please remember to be kind and compassionate to each other. Again, a big THANK YOU to all of you for your hard work and dedication in keeping the Blood Reserve and our loved ones safe.
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy.
BLOOD TRIBE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM
