Canadian military sends 35 to COVID-beset Red Sucker Lake First Nation
Military prepared to stay in remote community for as long as needed, spokesperson says
The federal government has beefed up its military response in northern Manitoba's Red Sucker Lake First Nation, where more than two dozen people have fallen ill from COVID-19.
Some 35 Canadian Armed Forces members arrived in the community, about 535 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, on Thursday after receiving a request for help from the First Nation, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair both tweeted.
The group consists of a medical team, support and general duty personnel and leadership from CFB Shilo and CFB Edmonton, a National Defence spokesperson said in an email.
Our <a href="https://twitter.com/CanadianForces?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CanadianForces</a> will always be there to support in times of need. In response to a request from Red Sucker Lake First Nation, we will be in the community to help with their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> response efforts. <a href="https://t.co/W6chdi0hud">https://t.co/W6chdi0hud</a>
—@HarjitSajjanThey will work alongside members of Red Sucker Lake and other government departments and agencies in providing "humanitarian assistance and addressing the emergent needs of this remote community," the spokesperson said.
The deployment follows a visit by a smaller contingent that arrived Monday and included armed forces members from CFB Shilo as well as other federal, provincial and community partners.
The purpose of that visit was to rapidly assess the COVID-19 situation and determine the next steps.
That contingent, which included two physicians, also brought 300 rapid testing devices, Red Sucker Lake Chief Samuel Knott told CBC News on Monday.
Whoever is symptomatic will be tested and those who test negative will be retested every five to seven days afterward, Knott said. So far, 28 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the community of about 1,000, he said.
The military members who landed Thursday will:
- Provide assistance to the community in the production and distribution of requirements such as food, firewood and care packages.
- Assist local authorities in setting up isolation spaces.
- Provide accommodation and transportation assistance to other government departments and agencies working in the area.
- Assist local health authorities in providing medical care and support.
"The CAF will remain until the need for military assistance is satisfied. We work closely with provincial and federal authorities to monitor the situation and determine criteria that would indicate when our support is no longer required," the National Defence spokesperson said.
"Once our forces are no longer required to support response to COVID-19, they will return to bases and units, where they will regenerate so they are ready for future tasks."