With the high number of COVID-19 cases reported in the Northern Health Region this past week, MKO Grand Chief says they’re working with government partners to understand what is driving these numbers.

Settee expressed concern for MKO citizens in a statement on Thursday, explaining it’s in talks with Indigenous Services Canada and the Northern Health Region to get more details on the epidemiology on why the north is seeing such an increase of cases recently.

He recommends everyone to continue to follow public health orders, mentioning that in the case where someone passes away, that families look to find creative ways to honour their loved ones as large funerals are not allowed while under code red.

Some ways include online memorials for those with internet access or delaying in-person memorials until it’s safe to do so.

This comes after provincial public health officials announced nearly 400 cases of the novel coronavirus and five deaths in the NRHA over the course of last week, with outbreaks in Thompson, Lynn Lake, and Garden Hill.