New COVID-19 Alert Level system in Kahnawake

09/03/2021

The Public Safety Commission and the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre�s Public Health team wish to inform the community of the new Alert Level system, that is now in effect in Kahnaw�:ke, which differs from the color system that was used during the State of Emergency. There are currently 33 active COVID-19 cases making Kahnaw�:ke�s alert status RED.

This is the first time that the community has moved away from the alert status of Green (the lowest alert level) since Phase 4 of the Reopening Process that began on July 2nd. The community was under a state of emergency from April 21, 2020, to June 21, 2021. The alert levels have been modified to suit the community being in the Recovery Period.

The new Alert Level system is designed to identify the level of risks and the measures that correspond to each situation. The number of active cases and contacts determines what level we are in. Additionally, vaccination rates, the ability for the healthcare system to manage, and the ability to identify, contact trace, and isolate contacts within 24-48 hours are factors to determine the alert levels. The alert levels are as follows:

� Green: 0-5 active cases with less than 15 contacts in isolation. No Proof of vaccination measures required

� Yellow: 6-20 active cases, with 15-45 contacts in isolation. Proof of vaccination required and additional measures for specific high-risk areas

� Red: 21+ active cases, with more than 45 contacts in isolation. Proof of vaccination required and additional measures to decrease contacts in indoor and outdoor settings

1. Limiting private gatherings to small groups (recommended two households)

2. Avoiding public indoor and outdoor gatherings

3. Wearing a mask whenever you are with people outside of your household, both indoors and out

4. Keeping more than a 2-meter distance between people who are outside of your household