Volume 36 | December 11, 2020
FNHMA Health Bulletin: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Welcome to your weekly dose of the FNHMA Health and Wellness Bulletin. Each issue, we do our best to provide relevant information, resources and supports to help you and your team navigate through COVID-19.

In this week's edition, we are sharing:

  • FNHMA Virtual Town Halls to return January 14, 2021
  • Total Number of Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 ISC is aware of as of December 10, 2020
  • Epidemiological Summary Of COVID-19 Cases In First Nations Communities (Data Current As Of December 5, 2020)
  • "Health Canada Approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine"
  • “Canada To Receive Early Delivery Of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine”
  • "What Canadians Can Expect Now That Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Has Been Approved"
  • "Bellegarde Says Canada Must Close Gap For Indigenous People Amid COVID-19 Pandemic"
  • "Indigenous Leaders Flag Treaty Obligation For COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery"
  • "City of Toronto Continues Working With Community-based Agencies To Provide Mental Health Support To Vulnerable Residents During The COVID-19 Pandemic"
  • "The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Presents COVID-19 Vaccine Foundations For Health Care Providers On An Online Open Access Webinar, Hosted By AMMI Canada"

Scroll down for these stories and more.
Weekly Virtual Town Hall Update
FNHMA Virtual Town Halls To Return January 14, 2021

Our final Virtual Town Hall of 2020 concluded yesterday.

From October 8 to December 10, 2020, we hosted 10 consecutive Virtual Town Halls in an effort to connect you with experts who shared insights and valuable information as it relates to the pandemic we are all facing together. Our Virtual Town Halls, we hope, have also provided a level of consistency in a rather inconsistent time.

That said, we are taking a break for the holidays and will return full steam ahead on January 14, 2021.

If you missed a Town Hall, you can watch them all. Simply click the button below to view our archived list.
National and First Nation COVID-19 News
Total Number Of Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 ISC Is Aware Of As Of December 10, 2020
As of December 10, 2020, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) records indicate that there are 5675 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves, in six provinces. There are 240 hospitalizations, 3526 recovered cases, and 49 deaths.

For more information on these numbers and for more information on how to keep your family safe, please click here.

Click Here to see the full ISC Coronavirus (COVID-19) an Indigenous communities page.
Epidemiological Summary Of COVID-19 Cases In First Nations Communities (Data Current As Of December 5, 2020)
Cumulative reported, recovered, active and newly reported cases in First Nations communities (up to November 29 to December 5, 2020)

The charts with epidemic curves over time (epi curves) below show:

  • the cumulative totals of reported and recovered COVID-19 cases
  • active cases
  • Reported cases by First Nations communities by age group and sex

Epidemic curves of COVID-19 cases in First Nations communities on-reserve are available online, and updated weekly. While a recent rise in the number of cumulative, new and active COVID-19 cases suggests an increased transmission, the flattened epi curves observed over the summer months indicates many First Nations communities had been successful in their efforts to stop the spread of infections.
"Health Canada Approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine"
"The federal government has given the green light to the Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, a key step toward launching the largest inoculation campaign in Canada's history.

Health Canada announced the approval Wednesday after scientists finished a two-month review of the company's clinical trial data.

"The data provided supports favourably the efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as well as its safety," the department said in its report authorizing use of the vaccine in Canada for people over the age of 16.


For the full story, click here.
“Canada To Receive Early Delivery Of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine”
“The Government of Canada continues to do everything possible to protect Canadians from COVID-19. This includes securing the world’s most extensive portfolio of vaccines and taking all necessary measures to ready the country to receive doses once they are authorized for use.”

The Honourable Anita Anand
Minister of Public Services and Procurement


Click here for the full press release.
"What Canadians Can Expect Now That Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Has Been Approved"
"Pandemic Now that Health Canada has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the largest vaccine mobilization in Canada's history will begin...

When will Canadians start to be vaccinated?

It's possible that by mid-week next week, some Canadians could be receiving the first COVID-19 vaccinations, officials say."

Click here to read the full article.
"Bellegarde Says Canada Must Close Gap For Indigenous People Amid COVID-19 Pandemic"
"Canada must invest in closing the gap for Indigenous people as it emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the outgoing head of the Assembly of First Nations said Tuesday.

“That gap amplifies every threat and every harm from this pandemic, from the risk of infection to the stress of lockdown,” National Chief Perry Bellegarde said in remarks to the virtual general assembly of the national political advocacy organization he has led since 2014.”

To read the full story, click here:
"Indigenous Leaders Flag Treaty Obligation For COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery"
"With Canada’s first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine rolling out as early as next week, First Nations leaders say the federal government must prioritize vaccinating Indigenous people.

Saskatchewan treaty commissioner Mary Culbertson said Canada is legally obligated to give Indigenous communities early access to the vaccine.”

To read the full article, click here:
"Manitoba To Receive Larger Share Of Moderna Vaccine Because Of High Indigenous Population, Premier Says"
"Pallister credits Indigenous leaders for province getting 15% more than initially allotted

Manitoba will receive extra doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, expected to be approved by Health Canada soon, because of the higher proportion of First Nations people in the province.

Premier Brian Pallister said he got confirmation from Ottawa late Monday the province will receive 15 per cent more of the vaccine than it was originally scheduled to get.

Instead of receiving 66,000 doses, Manitoba's allotment of the Moderna vaccine has now been bumped up to 75,600."
"City of Toronto Continues Working With Community-based Agencies To Provide Mental Health Support To Vulnerable Residents During The COVID-19 Pandemic"
"Press Release

The City of Toronto wants all residents to know that it is OK to not be OK and ask for mental health support.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Toronto has partnered with community-based agencies that provide mental health and social services to support residents during this difficult time. The City has also remained committed to providing Torontonians with safe opportunities for recreation and prioritized access to the City’s parks and green spaces for fresh air and exercise."

"The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Presents COVID-19 Vaccine Foundations For Health Care Providers On An Online Open Access Webinar, Hosted By AMMI Canada"
English Session 

Date:    Monday, December 14, 2020
Time:    13:00 – 15:00 Eastern
To register please CLICK HERE.

Opening remarks by Dr. Howard Njoo, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer

Things to note:

  • The presentation will be delivered in English and French on two separate days and recorded. 
  • The recording will be made available on the AMMI Canada website immediately following the event. 
Flu And COVID-19 #StopTheSpread
What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for Canada


Working to bring Canadians a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of infectious diseases, whether it's seasonal flu or childhood infections. A safe and effective vaccine(s) for COVID-19 will protect us against the novel coronavirus and will be an important step to safely resume normal life in Canada and around the world. The Government of Canada is working on all possible fronts to secure access to safe and effective vaccines and related supplies for Canadians. Here is what Canadians need to know about a future COVID-19 vaccine.

Download the full PDF about what you need to know about the vaccine here.
Going out: Personal and social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Think about the risks
As provinces and territories lift or adjust public health measures, we have to think about the risks associated with different settings and activities. 

Minimize your risk by avoiding the 3 Cs:

  • closed spaces with poor ventilation
  • crowded places with many people nearby
  • close faces, such as close-range conversations

Learn more about protecting yourself, your family and community here.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Prevention and risks

How COVID-19 spreads

COVID-19 spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks. The droplets vary in size from large droplets that fall to the ground rapidly (within seconds or minutes) near the infected person, to smaller droplets, sometimes called aerosols, which linger in the air under some circumstances.

The relative infectiousness of droplets of different sizes is not clear. Infectious droplets or aerosols may come into direct contact with the mucous membranes of another person's nose, mouth or eyes, or they may be inhaled into their nose, mouth, airways and lungs. The virus may also spread when a person touches another person (i.e., a handshake) or a surface or an object (also referred to as a fomite) that has the virus on it, and then touches their mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.


For additional resources, please refer to:

To learn more visit Canada.ca/flu and Canada.ca/coronavirus
FNHMA Pandemic Planning Tool Free Download
Did you know that the FNHMA has developed a Pandemic Planning Tool for First Nations Communities?

What can I expect with the FNHMA Pandemic Planning Tool?

  • This tool is available to all First Nations communities, free of charge.
  • FNHMA hopes that this new tool will help First Nations communities plan their pandemic responses.
  • Includes the basics of developing a Community Pandemic Plan and can complement what you already have in place.
  • A Community Pandemic Plan is usually part of an overall Community Emergency Plan, and as such, supports a more coordinated approach.
  • This tool will serve health directors, program managers and community health representatives alike; not only to enhance their knowledge, but to hone their skills and abilities, as well as to help them continue to drive change and build healthier communities.
COVID Alert App
Download COVID Alert today

Together, let's limit the spread of COVID-19. COVID Alert is an additional tool to protect yourself and your loved ones.

COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let other app users know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear.
That way, we can take care of ourselves and protect our communities.
Accessing Additional Funding
Indigenous Support For Student Learning Program - Funding Opportunity
The "Indigenous Support for Student Learning Program (SSLP)"

This program is a time-limited project for Indigenous students who have limited financial resources, including those students living with disabilities.

Click here to learn more about the SSLP.
Indigenous Services Canada - New Financial Support
Indigenous Services Canada has a list of financial supports for:

  • Indigenous individuals
  • Indigenous students
  • Indigenous organizations and communities
  • Indigenous businesses

First Nations Webinars
A number of Partner and National Indigenous Organizations are and have been producing webinars in order to continue supporting First Nations in a changing landscape.

To view more please follow the links below and be directed to that organization's webinar page.
Supports & Regularly Updated Resources
The following organizations have resources to combat COVID-19. These resources are regularly updated and are available to view at any time.

Please click below to be directed to more information.
Indigenous Health Today houses many different resources and provides recent news updates via email.

Please subscribe to their health brief as a valued FNHMA Partner.

Click the link to subscribe today!

Please note that service hours for InfoPoint have been updated.

InfoPoint will now be available from 9am until 5pm EDT, Monday to Friday.

Previous Health Bulletins
If you missed or would like to see any of our weekly health bulletins, we have included a link to all of our previous volumes.

Click Here to see all previous Health and Wellness Bulletins.

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