There's approximately 1,000 people living in the community. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Pandemic

Coronavirus cases surge in Fond du Lac as water treatment plant malfunctions

Nov 17, 2020 | 2:12 PM

The Fond du Lac Denesuline Nation Emergency Team is calling for more public health interventions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in their community.

According to a media release, positive cases of coronavirus has been on the rise and is currently at 37 with an additional 207 people identified as direct contacts. Fond du Lac has a population of approximately 1,000 people meaning 25 per cent of the membership has been affected by the virus.

“We are doing everything we can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Fond du Lac’s coronavirus coordinator Diane McDonald said. “We have implemented a lockdown to stop non-essential travel outside of the community and we have declared a state of emergency to access more funds to cover support services. However, the virus is spreading so fast we are overwhelmed by what steps to take next.”

The state of emergency was declared Nov. 9 after the water treatment plant began to experience mechanical issues and the first positive case of coronavirus was identified. Water services should resume in one week, but in the meantime, residents don’t have access to clean water for basic hygiene and safety purposes.

In the release, McDonald noted more also needs to be done to address the high cost of freight affecting food and supplies in Fond du Lac.

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“Of our two stores, which services 250 households, the cleaning supplies are already sold out and there is a limited supply of goods needed to treat COVID-19 such as Pedishare, cough syrup, throat lozenges, nasal sprays and baby goods,” she said. “Many members also rely on ordering their essential needs from grocery stores down south, but they are being charged more for freight costs and some are not getting their goods in a timely manner, which is deepening our current crisis with every new day.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno