There are currently 25 confirmed COVID-19 cases among Squamish Nation members, up from 19 on Sunday.
The Nation has approximately 4,000 members who live throughout North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Squamish.
Nation Coun. Syeta'xtn (Chris Lewis) announced the new pandemic numbers in a Facebook Live video Tuesday night.
He said the numbers are only for Indigenous members living on reserve. Non-Indigenous numbers are not available to the Nation.
The First Nation is notified of its cases through a connection with the Vancouver Coastal Health and the First Nations Health Authority developed specifically for use in First Nations communities.
The Nation announced Friday that all its offices, including Totem Hall, were temporarily closed due to multiple positive COVID-19 cases among its members.
Because some of these community members are also employees of the Nation, there is at least a two-week closure of all offices.
On Sunday, Aug. 30 the Nation announced the 19 confirmed cases.
All cases are related to an original positive outbreak, Lewis said.
All close contacts are already in isolation.
"Many people in our communities have been asked to self-isolate due to having recent contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19," said Lewis.
The Nation's emergency response team has brought care packages, including food vouchers to all those impacted.
"We are ready to help more families in need," Lewis said. "We can assist with grocery shopping, prescription pick up, and drop off for those families that need it and we can provide masks and gloves upon request to our elders and immunocompromised members."
He added that community care packages are being prepared for all members. On reserve, delivery will take place Friday. Off reserve, members can pick up the packages on Monday. These packages will include, among other things, cleaning supplies, a case of canned salmon, chicken, vegetables, vitamins, and puzzles.
Find out more at www.squamish.net/ or on the Squamish Nation Facebook page.
*Please note, this story has been updated since it was first posted to clarify that members live in several communities, not just Squamish.
