As Lax Kw'alaams reaches "herd immunity" some regulations loosen, others remain in place

"Herd immunity is classified as a population of 70% or greater that have been vaccinated for COVID-19. In this community we have reached that threshold and have hit approx. 75% of adults." -- Part of an update from Lax Kw'alaams Health Community

As the Prince Rupert/Port Edward community vaccination program continues on this Friday at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre auditorium, some notes of success from the North, with the Lax Kw'alaams Health Council sharing some background on the current status of the COVID response in the community.

In their most recent update for members, the Lax Kw'alaams Band Council has charted some of the path ahead for the community as they continue to respond to the ever changing landscape that COVID-19 has brought to the region.

Lax Kw’alaams Residents Only may travel on the following basis:  

All residents may travel to leave the community, however re-entry will be strictly monitored as per the following guidelines:  

Patient Travel is allowed for all residents, providing the appropriate approvals are made through the Patient Travel Clerk. Patient Travel documentation must be carried with you for re-entry into the Community. Patients who have not met the “vaccination threshold” will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return. 

Vaccination Threshold – Residents that have had either one or two doses of the Moderna, Pfizer or Astra-Zeneca vaccine, plus 14 days, will be deemed to have met the Vaccination Threshold. 

This will also apply to residents that have had one dose of the Johnson & Johnson or vaccine, plus 14 days.

For those who are not members of the community however, a number of restrictions and further guidance has been made available, as well as the ongoing advice that children under the age of eighteen should remain in the community for the time being.

As for the vaccination program in Lax Kw'alaams and the observations on the surrounding communities. the Band provided for the following:

The Lax Kw’aaams Band continues to monitor the current situation in both the Northern Region as well as throughout the Province of BC. 

It is noted that there has been COViD cases still in Prince Rupert but has been slowing down considerably, the Acropolis is now declared clear . 

No cases presently of COVID in the community. The numbers have been falling in BC slowly, Terrace is remains at a low COVID rate. 

The Emergency Measures Committee (EMC) met with Council’s Health Committee on March 17th, 2021 to consider the advice to go out to community.

Our FNHA representative has recommended that members that have the first dose of any approved vaccine should be able to travel to and from Lax Kw’alaams safely. 

Our approved corridor is Prince Rupert thru Terrace. We will revisit this again in the next couple weeks, depending on the cases presenting in the area. We all still need to do our part and help each other through this transition. 

We are encouraging all -residents to be responsible, always wear your mask, wash and sanitize your hands as often as possible, when you get home, change your clothes.

More extensive notes, recommendations and guidance can be found from the update from Lax Kw'alaams Mayor Garry Reece here.

Updated information from the community can also be found through their Facebook page.

For further items of interest from Lax Kw'alaams see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.