An isolation facility is up and running in Fort McMurray for members of the First Nations.

The Athabasca Tribal Council is overseeing the centre to allow those who get COVID-19 a spot to self-isolate away from everybody else.

There are five First Nation groups across the RMWB: the Fort McMurray #468 First Nation, the Fort McKay First Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation.

Allan Adam, ATC Board of Director President, tells Mix News many families across these Nations live with many people in small homes.

“If we get an outbreak of a family member, is it in your best intention to keep them in the house and get the whole family infected or move them out of the house and try and save the family and put them in a place where they’ll be isolated and away from everybody until they recover.”

The facility has 26 units and is equipped with medical staff, security, and meal support.

Each First Nation will have to complete a referral on behalf of the community member who needs to self-isolate.

“Each community is working to support their members, whether at home, or in additional facilities during the pandemic,” added Karla Buffalo, ATC CEO. “This urban isolation facility is an extra measure to help serve the regional communities.”

There have been no cases of COVID-19 in any of the five First Nations.

So far, only one community across the province has had a confirmed case – the Sucker Creek First Nation after a member had contact with an individual who had the virus in High Prairie.