Four cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed in English River First Nation (ERFN).

The positive test results were received on Monday, April 20, and mark the first confirmed appearance of the virus in the community.

The ERFN is comprised of several communities, including Beauval, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Patuanak, Dipper Lake, Primeau Lake and Elak Dase.

ERFN Council spokespersons said the infected persons were already under self-isolation as they waited for the results of their tests. They will continue to isolate for at least fourteen days under the supervision of public health officials.

Officials are already tracing the steps of the infected to determine if the virus had spread any further.

Those people will be contacted to determine whether testing is needed.

ERFN Band Council declared a state of emergency on March 19, 2020.

The declaration allowed for the initiation of their Pandemic Planning Committee and the introduction of strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus into the community.

“Infectious diseases do not discriminate,” said ERFN Councillor Katrina Maurice. “We have seen that around the world and, despite our best efforts, it has made its way into our community.

“Now, we must contain the virus as best we can and we need everybody’s help to do that. We were taught to love our community in sickness and in health. Let’s start there.”

ERFN public health officials are reminding people to:

• Take every measure to stay at home, especially if they feel ill;

• Practice physical distancing if they do have to go out in public;

• Keep their bodies and surroundings clean and disinfected, especially their hands by washing them often and for at least 20 seconds;

• Monitor themselves for symptoms that include coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing, and;

• Report any symptoms to Pandemic Planning Committee members Bernie Eaglechild at (306) 240-4062 or Patsy Wolverine at (306) 270-2252.