There is now a daily increase of COVID-19 active cases on the Blood Reserve, reported by the Blood Tribe Department of Health. The Emergency Management Team wanted to provide an update to our community about some developments and what you need to do as a Blood Tribe member.
Within the coming days, the Emergency Management Team will provide recommendations to our Chief and Council about the possibility of reinstating restrictions on the Blood Reserve. We urge those who have not been vaccinated to get the vaccine because our children, under the age of 12, cannot be immunized and are now among the most vulnerable in getting the virus.
The highly contagious Delta variant has affected the Blood Reserve for a couple of weeks and is now being referred to as the ‘Pandemic of the Unvaccinated’. However, the virus is infecting our fully vaccinated members too – but the majority of these reported cases are not experiencing severe symptoms. That is why it is important that everyone be careful and continue to follow public safety measures by wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing and washing/sanitizing hands frequently.
We ask all Blood Tribe residents and non-residents working, or attending school on reserve, to get tested for COVID-19 after attending any kind of social gathering or event (e.g., Whoop Up Days).
We still need to work collectively to encourage our loved ones to: get the vaccine, get tested, practice public health measures, and follow the Tribe’s regulations for the protection of our members especially our children, elders and immunocompromised.
Responsible information sharing is also key to protecting our communities, we want to thank Blood Tribe members in obtaining reliable COVID-19 information from health professionals from the Blood Reserve, Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and Health Canada.
We will continue to work hard to keep you all updated. Please practice safe judgement for you, your families, and our community.
*Included is the BTDH September 2021 Vaccine Clinics poster. Also, the COVID-19 asymptomatic and symptomatic testing site poster.
