The Canim Lake First Nation instituted a lockdown to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, after an outbreak on the reserve. Image Credit: Global BC

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19 UPDATE

Canim Lake Band lifting lockdown status with reduction in active COVID-19 cases

Jan 30, 2021 | 9:34 AM

CANIM LAKE, B.C. — A community lockdown put in place for the Canim Lake Band nearly one month ago will be lifted this weekend (Jan. 30).

The lockdown was issued January 8 by chief and council as a response to an outbreak of COVID-19 among the community.

In a news release Saturday, the Canim Lake Band says their efforts to contain virus spread are showing success. Recoveries now outnumber active cases in the community and the majority of eligible members have received their first vaccine dose.

However outbreak status will continue for another four weeks. During this time, affected families are still in isolation, and there will be limited public access to the community.

The release states there is a phased-in reopening planned for schools and band offices. Students from Canim Lake will be returning to their classes in School District 27 in 100 Mile House.

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“We continue to use our Secwepemc values to guide our response to the COVID outbreak in our community,” notes Chief Helen Henderson. “The Canim Lake Emergency Operations Team has managed to keep our community safe, while dealing with their own sense of loss and stress through the last weeks.”

The release also states that the community has met provincial health office criteria to end the lock down, and its Emergency Operations Team will continue to follow provincial health orders. Canim Lake Band members may also be visiting nearby communities for appointments and to buy groceries and supplies.

“It is our strong family values that allowed COVID to take hold in our community. But it is also our strong community values that allowed us to pull together and do what was needed for the good of the community as a whole,” says Henderson. “In the larger picture, we have learned many lessons about dealing with a pandemic that can be used to benefit other communities.”

The Cariboo Regional District, the District of 100 Mile House, School District 27, and local RCMP have voiced their support for Canim Lake’s efforts, and state in the release they welcome the return of community members after this lockdown period.