First Nations is gearing up for work challenges due to Omicron-powered COVID-19 rise

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Many First Nations across the country are preparing for the proliferation of the Omicron variant, while executives are preparing for labor shortages caused by COVID-19, which may be more severe in indigenous communities.

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“We are well aware that Omicron is coming,” said Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

There were less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases on reserves across the country before the holiday season, but that number has risen rapidly.

In Manitoba alone over the past week, there have been 1,388 new COVID-19 cases among First Nations people, data from the First Nations COVID-19 task force released Friday shows. There are active cases in more than 40 indigenous communities in the province despite many having high vaccination rates.

First Nations is unlikely to be spared the COVID-19-related labor shortage seen in health care, police and other public sectors across the country, Dumas said. But the effects could be much more significant, he added.

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“Unfortunately, what has happened in the past is that you have all the waterworks operators getting COVID or having to insulate, but that function still needs to be serviced to the people,” Dumas said.

To slow the spread, at least 10 First Nations in Manitoba have implemented travel restrictions or locked down. While the Delta variant remains dominant among Manitoba First Nations, the task force said it is expected to be overtaken by Omicron next week.

“The Omicron variant has been on its way through Manitoba in an unprecedented way,” Grand Chief Garrison Settee, who represents the Northern First Nations in Manitoba, said in a press release. “Our leaders are working tirelessly to limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that key services are available to community members.”

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Unseen so far

Settee added that the lack of healthcare professionals is affecting the ability of some First Nations citizens to access their third COVID-19 vaccines.

Both chiefs said they have reached out to provincial and federal officials.

First Nations in northwestern Ontario has also introduced significant restrictions recently. The Sioux Lookout Area First Nations declared a regional lockdown to curb the Omicron variant, as none of the 33 First Nations has hospitals. The local health authority said this means they face an imminent threat of overloading public health resources.

Half the population of Bearskin Lake First Nation was tested positive for COVID-19 this week, leaving a large portion of the community in isolation.

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Chief Lefty Kamenawatamin said Friday that there were only about 30 front-line workers in the remote community who could supply water, groceries and other important supplies to people isolating themselves.

“The situation in Bearskin Lake clearly demonstrates the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on First Nations,” said Dr. Lloyd Douglas, a public health physician at the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, in a press release this week.

“The consequences are devastating for First Nations communities, which face severe shortages of infrastructure, advice on boiling water, overcrowding and complex health conditions.”

Minister of State for Interstate Affairs Dominic LeBlanc said on Friday that the government will do what it can to support indigenous communities facing COVID-19 crises.

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First Nations health experts say they are still keeping an eye on the effects of Omicron and what challenges the variant could bring to indigenous communities during the latest wave of the pandemic.

The second and third waves saw higher rates of infection, hospitalization and death among indigenous peoples in many areas of the country.

Dr. Marcia Anderson, who is part of First Nations’ pandemic response team, said that is why they are approaching decisions with more caution, even though some provinces are reducing isolation requirements to five days.

She said there could be significant risks in sending people who are potentially still contagious out of isolation given the higher risk options at First Nations.

“The Covid virus is spreading very easily because of the underlying factors like overcrowded housing,” Anderson said in an online video Friday, adding that First Nations people also have a higher risk of serious outcomes.

“We want to be more careful about making these changes,” she added.