Kahnawake asks residents to limit family gatherings for New Year's Eve
Health authorities in Kahnawake say residents' safest bet this New Year's Eve is to keep their celebrations contained to their own household.
As of Wednesday, the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community reported 93 active infections within the population of about 8,000. One person is in intensive care, and hundreds more are estimated to be in isolation.
In light of the news, officials made a plea to residents to keep their gatherings small in an attempt to contain community spread, as emergency services get stretched-thin.
"This wave has had an impact on emergency services," said Chief Peacekeeper Dwayne Zachary in a Thursday announcement, adding that response workers have been forced to work overtime.
Officials released new recommendations including two celebration options for residents, depending on how risk-averse or vulnerable they are.
Under the strictest, safest option, residents are being asked to restrict their parties to their own households.
The second recommendation, "which involves increased risk," according to a news release, allows for one additional household visiting per day. In that case, residents should wear masks, distance, and keep their hands clean.
Anything more than that is not reccomended, and household groups that include members over 70 or those suffering from immuno-compromising conditions shouldn't take the second option. That also applies for households with people who care for elders or immuno-compromised people.
"I'm sure each and every one of you ... is aware of the situation in our community. We have a large number of cases," said Zachary.
"We don't want to go out and have to enforce directives and issue fines or anything like that. We're calling on you, the members of our community, to help us."
"We're looking at each and every one of you taking into account you own mental health," he continued. "You need to do what's right for you, I understand that, but at the same time you have to be responsible to the community."
Read the full release from public health officials below:
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.