News
COVID-19 Information and Updates
- Published: March 04 2020 15:52
March 3, 2020
CDC Coordinator, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)/Government of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the situation regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Public health authorities across Canada — at all levels of government — are working together to adapt our response to this rapidly changing situation. In Canada, and around the world, researchers are actively investigating all aspects of the novel coronavirus outbreak to further understand this disease and how the outbreak may progress.
A Special Advisory Committee of Canada’s Chief Medical Officers of Health is in place to respond to COVID-19. This Committee will focus its attention on coordination of federal, provincial and territorial preparedness and response across Canada’s health sector. While the large majority of the cases are in mainland China, with most of these occurring in Hubei province, this virus has now been detected in a number of countries around the world. It is prudent that we prepare for the possibility that the virus could spread further.
The risk of spread of this virus within Canada remains low at this time. However, we should plan for all possible scenarios and base our response on evidence as the science of the novel coronavirus continues to emerge.
There are however a number of things that we can all do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory infections.
- washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
- avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
- coughing or sneezing into your sleeve and not your hands; and
- staying home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
As part of community preparedness and response, it is important to note that Acadia First Nation Community Emergency Measures Planning Team is reviewing and updating (last updated on, March 03, 2020) our Health Emergency Plans.
The following sources have the latest and most up-to-date information on COVID-19
- www.Canada.ca\coronavirus
- Government of Nova Scotia https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
- ISC Coronavirus and First Nation website https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1581964230816/1581964277298
- ISC Diseases that affect First Nations website https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1569867927914/1569867958318
- toll-free phone line (1-833-784-4397) available from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. AST.
For more information on how you can prepare for a potential outbreak and way to keep safe and healthy, please use the link provided below to visit the Government of Canada's recommendations.