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Midwestern

Saugeen First Nation under state of emergency

Saugeen First Nation is taking further steps because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the community.

All Saugeen First Nation Services and Businesses are closed as of noon today for a two week period. A state of emergency was announced Wednesday.

In a release from the Grey Bruce Health Unit, officials state they've been working with Saugeen First Nation's Chief Lester Anoquot and Band Council to address the outbreak.

And the Chief and Band Council will re-assess the situation on July 15 to determine if the closures can be lifted or will have to be extended.

Band residents are being asked to stay at home for the two week closure and avoid gatherings of any kind.

Facilities are being made available for those without a permanent residence.

The Grey Bruce Heath Unit says while it has no jurisdiction within the community, it works in collaboration with the Saugeen First Nation COVID Crisis Team and community health services through permission of the Chief and Band Council.

“The Grey Bruce Health Unit team is proud that the Chief Anoquot and Band Council have offered us the opportunity to collaborate, and we are honoured for their confidence in us as a partner,” said Dr. Ian Arra, Medical Officer of Health for Grey and Bruce. “We are confident that under the leadership of the Chief and Band Council, and with our shared commitment to health, our teams will be successful in bringing under control the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the community.”

As of late Wednesday, there are 187 active cases of COVID-19 through Grey and Bruce which includes 29 active cases of Variants of Concern.

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