People who attended a funeral in Pelican Narrows earlier this week may have been exposed to COVID-19.
The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) has announced possible exposures to COVID-19 at a wake or funeral in Pelican Narrows from Oct. 4-5, along with a funeral in Waterhen Lake Oct. 5.
"Public health officials are advising individuals who were at the event during the specified dates and times listed above to immediately self-isolate if they have had or currently have symptoms of COVID-19 and to call HealthLine 811 or their community health clinic to arrange for assessment and testing," reads a statement from the NITHA.
A statement from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) councillor and Pelican Narrows resident Weldon McCallum stated that there were no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pelican Narrows as of 3:40 p.m. Manitoba time Wednesday, but that the community will lock down as a precaution. All vehicles heading into Pelican Narrows, either from north from Highway 106 or south from Sandy Bay, will be searched by community safety officers.
"Both north and south entrances will be blocked with only emergency and essential services granted access. Special exceptions will be made for those who need to attend out of town medical services or appointments," reads McCallum's statement.
"We have been through this before and there will be allocated days for shopping."
Per McCallum, the lockdown has been approved by PBCN Chief Peter Beatty and will go into effect at 7 a.m. Thursday.
No new cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the province in far north Saskatchewan communities, including in the Far North East 2 zone, which contains Pelican Narrows and nearby communities, including Creighton, Denare Beach and Flin Flon, Saskatchewan.
