Walpole Island officials announced on Monday, July 27, 2020 that one new active case of COVID-19 has been confirmed on the First Nation reserve.
This is Walpole’s only current active case and their total number of cases has risen to 15.
A total of 13 of these cases have been resolved and one person has died.
Walpole Island officials say 96 community members have been tested for the virus, with 79 tests coming back negative.
Two test results are still pending.
This new case is the first confirmed case on Walpole Island since the end of May.
In a Facebook LIVE post on Monday, Band Councillor Steve Tooshkenig said Council wanted to remind everybody to remain vigilant.
“COVID-19 is still out there and we all have to continue to be careful to ensure the protection of our most vulnerable,” Tooshkenig said.
“Keep practicing physical distancing, keep washing our hands and keep wearing a mask if we must go out.”
Tooshkenig said Walpole Island Band Council is set to discuss on Tuesday morning, July 28, 2020 recommendations for the reopening of their bridge to non-members of Walpole Island.
The community has been restricting non-resident travel over the Walpole Island First Nation bridge to essential traffic only since the beginning of April.
Tooshkenig said another social media update is anticipated for Tuesday to share the outcome of these discussions.
Walpole Island officials say if anyone is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they should self isolate immediately and call the Walpole Island Health Centre at 519-627-0765.
Walpole Island officials recommend calling Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 during the after hours.
