(https://blacklakefirstnation.ca/)

By larongeNOW Staff

BLACK LAKE COVID-19

‘No dire situation in Black Lake’ says AHA and Black Lake Council

Oct 18, 2021 | 1:15 PM

The Athabasca Health Authority (AHA) has said reports of a “dire situation” and forced vaccines in Black Lake are unfounded.

In a media release Monday morning, the AHA said it had heard reports that residents of Black Lake are being chased out of the community and hiding in the bush to avoid being forced to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The AHA said it cannot substantiate the reported claim as there is no dire situation in Black Lake and no one is hiding nor being forced into the bush to avoid shots. In an email to larongeNOW, the executive director of Primary Health Care Taiwo Olubanwo said the vaccine is offered to community members who voluntarily accept it and numbers are increasing each day.

The majority of the rumours were featured on a Facebook video from The Real Pat King. The video shares accounts from two women who claim members of the community are being forced to take the shot.

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In a release, the Chief and Council in Black Lake First Nation said they strongly refute those claims and that the Facebook video was careless.

“The Real Pat King failed to authenticate the portrayal of Black Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan vaccination efforts. These statements are not true,” Council said in a release.

“The video is not representative of the vaccination efforts in Black Lake First Nation.”

The release goes on to say that Council is requesting concerned citizens not contact the band office regarding the video as it is exhausting their resources.

Since Oct. 15, the AHA has reported zero new cases of COVID-19, with no active cases currently in the region, including Black Lake.

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Twitter: @larongenow