3 Active Cases of COVID-19 in Kahnawake. Vaccinations Have Begun

There are three active cases of COVID-19 in Kahnawake. Two of those were newly diagnosed according to Lisa Westaway the Executive Director of the Kateri Memorial Hospital Center (KMHC).  “This is not a surprise to us,” she said. “The  next two weeks will be very crucial as we observe and follow what happens as a result of holiday time.”

Westaway says that Quebec has prioritized vaccination for employees of long-term care facilities. In Kahnawake, that applies to those at the KMHC, the Turtle Bay Elders Lodge and the Independent Living Center (ILC). 52 employees of those organizations began to receive the first of their two vaccinations with the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine last week. Since the vaccine can not be moved, it is being administered at a site at 10-30 in the Monteregie. More vaccinations will take place for other employees on Wednesday (tomorrow) and between January 6-8^th.

Westaway says that vaccination is expected to come to the entire community by the end of February or by early March according to very preliminary dates. But she says that could change.  

Lloyd Phillips, the Commissioner of Public Safety in Kahnawake, explaining why all non essential businesses will be closing as of New Year’s day.

“The primary goal is stop the movement of people,” he said. “The virus won’t move unless people move. So the more people move about the higher the risk of contacts, the higher the risk is to individuals, the higher the risk is to our community. We are trying our best to take proactive steps to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Meanwhile the numbers in Quebec continue to remain dangerously high with increased number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths. As of yesterday (Monday) household gatherings are prohibited in Kahnawake.

“January probably has the highest risk to our community than we have seen throughout the entire pandemic,” Phillips said. “We are seeing numbers of positive cases that exceed the first wave. The death rate is continuing to increase.”

Robin Delaronde, the Director of Education of the Kahnawake Education Center (KEC) says the doors to the three schools under the KEC umbrella will be opening on Tuesday, January 5^th for those who were on site prior to the holidays. Many students have been and will continue learning on-line. Monday, January 4^th will now be a pedagogical day.

“If you wish and are capable to keep your child home until the Friday (Jan. 8^th) we strongly encourage that. We support that.” Delaronde asks parents to inform the school if that is your plan. She also asks that parents check on their children’s health and to fill out the daily health check form. She also reiterated that if your child has traveled that they must quarantine for 14 days upon their return.