It’s been a year since the community was ravaged by a huge wave of COVID infections and deaths and sadly, the community is now mourning its 25th death from the viral infection.
Six Nations of the Grand River’s public health department notified elected council on Mar. 2 that a person passed away from COVID-related complications.
The last death related to COVID reported on the territory was on Feb. 22, 2022.
“SNGREC sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this community member. We are saddened to see another life lost to the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to think of all our community members who have lost a loved one throughout this pandemic.”
Next week will mark almost three years since the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic from the newly-identified pathogen.
The infection has killed 6.8 million people worldwide.
This past January saw a small spike in global deaths, with about 3,800 deaths per day at the end of the month.
Original precautions and restrictions placed around much of the world to contain the spread of the virus, such as masks and gathering sizes, have been lifted, including on Six Nations.
Ohsweken Public Health recommends still using public health recommendations to reduce the spread of the illness but no mandatory recommendations are in place on the territory.
SNGREC said it recognizes the pandemic has been a difficult time for community members and offers counselling services to anyone who may need it.
Members can call the mobile crisis line at 1-866-445-2204.