If you have tested positive for COVID19 and require isolation support, please call Kasey McDermott (Emergency Planning Officer) or Scott MacDonnell (Emergency Mitigation Officer) directly. Once they receive a call, they will book you a room at a local hotel if you cannot isolate away from others in your home. Gift cards are only provided to those isolating in the hotel so that food can be ordered and delivered. Kasey can be reached at (902) 956-4575. Scott can be reached at (902) 956-3936. If Kasey or Scott do not answer the phone when you call, please leave a message and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you want your news/articles to be promoted on this page, send your information to Nigel Gloade, Communications Officer at ngloade@millbrookfn.ca or call (902) 324-3379.
Be sure to include ALL relevant information (including the who, what, when, where, why and how to find out more).
To the Office of Chief
Gloade, Bob – 515
To The Office of Councillor
Julian, Zachary – 389
Marshall, Lisa – 377
Gloade, Carley -356
Stevens, James – 356
GooGoo, Chris – 344
Blackmore, Anissa – 338
Gloade, Garrett – 321
Benard, Natasha – 317
Marshall, Stephen – 311
Cope, Alex – 308
Sylliboy, Dana – 308
Markie, Ward - 304
MILLBROOK FIRST NATION ELECTION
IMPORTANT BALLOT NOTICE
Please note that an error occurred with the ballot packages that were sent out by mail.
Luke Kenneth Markie was placed on the ballot as a candidate in error. He had declined his nomination within the deadline and is not a candidate. Please do not vote for him if you received a mail-out ballot.
Please share this information with family and friends who live off-reserve and would have received a mail-in package.
If you have any questions, please email me at electoralofficer@cmmns.com.
Sorry for the confusion,
Brenda Tracey
Electoral Officer
Millbrook First Nation Election
March 3rd, 2022
Election Notice
· The Electoral Office has secured funds to offer Millbrook Band Members who received a mail-in ballot package the opportunity to send back their ballot by FedEx. If you are concerned about getting your ballot back to us before March 3rd (Election Day) please email me the information listed below and we will email you a return FedEx slip so you can send back your ballot by FedEx. You still have the option to mail back your ballot with the pre-paid postage that was provided to you.
· Please send your ballots back as soon as possible whether you are sending them by FedEx or by mail. Any person who cannot vote in person on Election Day should email me and request a mail-in ballot package.
We will need the following information:
1. Email address
2. Status Card number
3. Your name
4. Civic address only
5. Telephone Number
Important: Those that were already mailed a ballot will need to go to FedEx to pick up a FedEx envelope to return your ballot with the return slip we will email to you.
· Unfortunately, FedEx does not make deliveries to Canada Post Office boxes.
· New ballots will not be sent to replace mail-in packages already shipped via Canada Post.
· All new requests we receive for mailout ballots will be sent by FedEx.
If you have any questions, please send me an email. The Electoral Officer is responsible for sending out ballots.
Brenda Tracey
Electoral Officer
(902) 890-0008 cell phone (please leave a message and call back number)
Millbrook On-Reserve Members,
If you are isolating at home and need someone to drop off a rapid test kit or pick up a grocery order, you have made or other essentials, Millbrook staff can help. Staff, however, will not be doing non-essential runs for things such as Tim Horton’s coffee/treats. Staff will be available to help during regular work hours and for a limited time on weekends. Please get in touch with Millbrook Security at 902-956-0114, and they will connect you with the staff that can provide this service.
January 13, 2022
Increased visitor restrictions are being implemented at Colchester East Hants Health Centre today to reflect COVID-19 activity.
Visitor restrictions in Nova Scotia Health facilities were put in place last week to further reduce the risk of the virus being introduced or spread within its facilities. These restrictions are in place at most sites in Nova Scotia Health’s Northern Zone (Municipality of East Hants, Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties).
Inpatients and long-term care residents at the following sites and units in the Northern Zone are not able to receive any visitors due to COVID-19 activity and/or staffing requirements:
· Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro – E2 Community Transition / Surgery Unit, D3 COVID-19 / Medicine Unit (NEW)
· Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow - Transitional Care Unit
· Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital, Pictou - Northumberland Veterans Unit
· South Cumberland Community Care Centre, Parrsboro
· Bayview Memorial Health Centre, Advocate Harbour
Each resident in these facilities or units will be permitted to have two designated caregivers to provide mental and physical support whenever possible based on operational situations.
Exceptions may be made for palliative care patients, patients receiving Medical Assistance in Dying and other patients nearing end of life in consultation with their care team. Whenever possible, our teams will use technology to enable virtual involvement of support persons. These restrictions will remain in place until further notice and will be monitored closely.
Please note, all other hospitals/sites within the Northern Zone will follow provincial inpatients and outpatients visitor restriction guidelines: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus-home/family-presence-during-covid-19-important-information-support-peoplevisitors
Nova Scotia Health sincerely apologizes to patients and their families for strict visitor restrictions at this time. We understand restrictions are difficult for patients and families and appreciate the important and valuable role family caregivers play in supporting patient care and mental wellbeing. As our teams work to implement these changes to keep our patients and staff safe, we thank all of you for your continued support, patience and understanding. We will monitor these restrictions closely and will make changes when appropriate.
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Provincial media line: 1-844-483-3344
Social Clients: Direct Deposits will not be deposited until tomorrow, January 13, 2022. Sorry of inconvenience.
The Social Department has decided that Social issue will be returned to Thursdays so future deposits will be made on Thursdays going forward.
Millbrook Social Department
Since December 17th, 61 residents of Millbrook tested positive on either a rapid or PCR test. Today, we have 14 active cases; the rest have been resolved. However, the active case number will change as more people get infected. To help lower the chance of further spread in the community, get tested and stay home. The next COVID19 testing clinic will be at the community hall from 1:30 to 7:30 this Friday, January 14th. To protect yourselves and others, get vaccinated. The next vaccine clinic for first, second and booster doses is tomorrow, January 12th.
Millbrook has 30 cases of COVID19 with others waiting to hear if their PCR tests are positive. The number of positive cases will continue to grow for some time. Public Health is determining if there is community spread in Millbrook. Stay home if you do not need to go out. Wear a snug-fitting 3 layer cloth mask or properly fitted medical mask. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, fever, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. Rapid tests are available by contacting Millbrook Security.
If you get a positive rapid test result (2 lines), contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779. Then book a confirmatory PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away and notify your close contacts. Please notify Public Health of your positive rapid test by emailing PublicHealthPOCT@nshealth.ca including your name, date of birth, health card number and contact information as this helps us get an accurate count of positive cases in our community.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to the same 10 people in your bubble. Stay home if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test. While isolating in your home, wear your mask properly, physical distance from others, eat and sleep in a separate room, keep your hands clean, and sanitize surfaces you touched in your shared bathroom, or use a separate bathroom. Monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911. For more information about what to do if you test positive, go to https://www.nshealth.ca/testedpositiveforcovid.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your room if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – A COVID19 testing clinic will take place on January 3rd at the Millbrook Gymnasium from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. for band and community members. Rapid tests will be available there to take home. At the Dec 20th testing clinic, 134 people were tested, at the Dec 21st clinic, 86 were tested, and at the Dec 27th clinic, 84 people were tested. We need more people to go to these clinics to get tested.
Vaccine Clinic – A COVID19 vaccine clinic will take place at the health centre on January 12th for those aged 5 and above. Become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose (for those 18 and above). The vaccine is safe and once fully vaccinated, helps lower your chances of becoming hospitalized because of COVID19. The booster may reduce your ability to spread the virus if you have COVID19. The vaccine needs at least 14 days to become protective; it will not protect you right away, so the sooner you get your first, second, or booster dose, the better.
Millbrook Chief and Council
December 29, 2021
Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 vaccine outreach clinics will be offering drop-ins for the Pfizer vaccine in Tatamagouche and Stewiacke next week to help support vaccine accessibility for residents and nearby community members.
The clinics are open to anyone age 5+ for their first or second dose* at the following locations, at the following times:
Tatamagouche Fire Hall (202 Main St, Tatamagouche)
Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drop-in only.
Stewiacke Community Centre (111 Highway 2, Stewiacke)
Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drop-in only.
*To be eligible for a second dose, it must be 28 days or more since the first dose, or 21 days or more if the first dose was Pfizer.
Community members will be asked to provide their health card number (if they have one) and ID at the vaccine clinic.
For those with mobility challenges, special needs, and/or have significant anxiety about needles, please notify clinic team members on site. Having this information helps the clinic team better offer support.
All eligible Nova Scotians are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
For a list of other drop-in vaccine clinics available across the province, please visit https://www.nshealth.ca/drop-in-vaccine-clinics.
Up-to-date information around COVID-19 cases and resources can be found at www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus
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Millbrook has 25 cases of COVID19 with more people waiting to hear if their PCR tests are positive. The number of positive cases will continue to grow for some time. Public Health is determining if there is community spread in Millbrook. Stay home if you do not need to go out. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. Rapid tests are available by contacting Millbrook Security. If you get a positive test result (2 lines), contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779. Then book a confirmatory PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away and notify your close contacts. Please notify Public Health of your positive rapid test by emailing PublicHealthPOCT@nshealth.ca including your name, date of birth, health card number and contact information.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to the same 10 people in your bubble. Stay home if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test. While isolating in your home, wear your mask properly, physical distance from others, eat and sleep in a separate room, keep your hands clean, and sanitize surfaces you touched in your shared bathroom, or use a separate bathroom. Monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911. For more information about what to do if you test positive, go to https://www.nshealth.ca/testedpositiveforcovid.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your room if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – A COVID19 testing clinic will take place at the Millbrook Gymnasium for band and community members on January 3rd. Rapid tests will be available there to take home. At the Dec 20th testing clinic, 134 people were tested, at the Dec 21st clinic, 86 were tested, and at the Dec 27th clinic, 84 people were tested. We need more people to go to these clinics to get tested.
Vaccine Clinic – A COVID19 vaccine clinic will take place at the health centre on January 12th for those aged 5 and above. Become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose (for those 18 and above). The vaccine is safe and once fully vaccinated, helps lower your chances of becoming hospitalized because of COVID19. The vaccine needs at least 14 days to become protective; it will not protect you right away, so the sooner you get your first, second, or booster dose, the better.
Millbrook Chief and Council
Millbrook has 23 cases of COVID19 with more people waiting to hear if their tests are positive. The number of positive cases will continue to grow for some time. Public Health is determining if there is community spread in Millbrook. Stay home if you do not need to go out. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. Rapid tests are available by contacting Millbrook Security. If you get a positive test result (2 lines), contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779. Then book a confirmatory PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away and notify your close contacts. Please notify Public Health of your positive rapid test by emailing PublicHealthPOCT@nshealth.ca including your name, date of birth, health card number and contact information.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to the same 10 people in your bubble. Stay home if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test. While isolating in your home, wear your mask properly, physical distance from others, eat and sleep in a separate room, keep your hands clean, and sanitize surfaces you touched in your shared bathroom, or use a separate bathroom. Monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911. For more information about what to do if you test positive, go to https://www.nshealth.ca/testedpositiveforcovid.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your room if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – A COVID19 testing clinic will take place at the Millbrook Community Hall for band and community members right after New Year’s. Rapid tests will be available there to take home. At the Dec 20th clinic, 134 people were tested, at the Dec 21st clinic, 86 were tested, and at the Dec 27th clinic, 84 people were tested. We need more people to go to these clinics to get tested.
Vaccine Clinic – A COVID19 vaccine clinic will take place at the health centre during the week of January 10th for those aged 5 and above. Become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose (for those 18 and above). The vaccine is safe and once fully vaccinated, helps lower your chances of becoming hospitalized because of COVID19. The vaccine needs at least 14 days to become protective; it will not protect you right away, so the sooner you get your first, second, or booster dose, the better.
Millbrook Chief and Council
Public Health COVID-19 Notice to Childcare Community December 23, 2021
Dear Parent/Guardian/Staff,
Public Health is investigating additional COVID-19 exposures at Millbrook Early Education Centre that occurred on December 15 and/or 17. We are working with the childcare centre to make sure all steps are taken to protect children and staff.
Public Health will identify and send a separate letter to anyone who may have been exposed as a close contact. This will be sent through the childcare centre.
Public Health recommends that everyone in the childcare centre carefully watch for COVID-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop, please stay home and complete the online assessment at https://covid- self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en or call 811 if you don’t have access to the internet.
Symptoms include:
• A new or worsening cough OR two or more of the following:
Fever (chills, sweats)
Runny nose/nasal congestion
Sore throat
Headache
Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
Visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus for more information about COVID-19, self-isolating, hand hygiene, using a face mask, and other ways to keep yourself safe.
Thank you,
Public Health, Nova Scotia Health
As you have heard, Millbrook now has its first cases of COVID19 since the start of the pandemic. We have 11 PCR confirmed cases of COVID19, with another 5 people who have tested positive with a rapid test. If you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose, cough or headache, take a rapid test. If you have been told that you are a close contact of someone who has COVID19, take a rapid test. If you have been to an exposure site at the time of the exposure, take a rapid test. If you get a positive result on the rapid test, text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779 and he will get you the help and supports you need. Then book a PCR test by calling 811 or go online at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Isolate right away while you wait for your test AND test results.
We can all do our part to prevent the further spread of COVID19 in our community. Limit your contacts to close family members and those you live with (no more than 10 people in your bubble). Stay away from others if you have tested positive with a rapid or PCR test, wear your mask properly, physical distance, keep your hands clean, sanitize surfaces you touched in the bathroom and doorhandles, and take care of yourself. Eat, sleep and monitor yourself for worsening symptoms. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, call 911.
How to interpret test results and when you no longer have to isolate -
A negative test is 1 negative PCR test result OR 2 negative rapid tests done at least 48 hours apart.
If you were in contact with a positive case and you had symptoms, you can stop isolating only after you have two negative rapid tests (e.g.., 72 hours after exposure and 5 days after exposure).
Fully vaccinated contacts with no symptoms can stop isolating after a first negative rapid test (e.g., 72 hours after exposure), but you need to complete a 2nd rapid test at least 48 hours later (e.g., 5 days after exposure).
Isolating at a hotel – Do not leave your rooms if isolating at a hotel. Before you check in, call the hotel from your car so that they can prepare for your arrival. You are not allowed to eat breakfast in the hotel breakfast area (a breakfast bag will be delivered to you). For food delivery, ask the deliverer to stop at the front desk to let the hotel know that you are expecting a delivery.
COVID19 Testing Clinic – There will be another testing clinic at the Millbrook Community Hall for band and community members on December 27th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please make an effort to get tested then; rapid tests will be available there to take home.
Vaccine Clinic – The Millbrook Health Centre will have another COVID19 vaccine clinic in early January for those aged 5 and above. Please become fully vaccinated (2 doses) and get your booster dose if eligible. The vaccine is safe and helps prevent you from getting hospitalized if you get COVID19.
As we come to the end of 2021, let’s remember to be kind to others and to ourselves, help one another through this pandemic, and to ask for help when you need it. Be safe and take care.
Millbrook Chief and Council
Public Health COVID-19 Notice to School Community December 22, 2021
Dear Parent/Guardian/Staff,
Public Health is investigating a COVID-19 exposure at Millbrook Early Education Centre that occurred on December 14 and/or 15. We are working with the early education centre to make sure all steps are taken to protect students and staff.
Public Health will identify and send a separate letter to anyone who may have been exposed as a close contact. This will be sent through the early education centre.
Public Health recommends that everyone in the early education centre community carefully watch for COVID-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop, please stay home and complete the online assessment at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en or call 811 if you don’t have access to the internet.
Symptoms include:
• A new or worsening cough OR two or more of the following:
Fever (chills, sweats)
Runny nose/nasal congestion
Sore throat
Headache
Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
Visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus for more information about COVID-19, self-isolating, hand hygiene, using a face mask, and other ways to keep yourself safe.
Thank you,
Public Health, Nova Scotia Health
Revised Notice to the Millbrook Community
Help us to keep COVID19 from spreading in Millbrook. Over the Christmas Break, if you test positive with a Rapid or PCR test, contact Chief Gloade or text Dr. Blois at 902-890-2779. We will do our best to provide advice and support. There have been some positive cases at the Millbrook Early Education Centre and a notice has been shared publicly with parents/guardians/staff.
COVID19 Testing Clinic - Nova Scotia Public Health will be doing another COVID19 testing clinic at the Millbrook Community Hall to accommodate those who work during the day. Details to come.
· Keep your social group small and the number of people you see and places you go to a minimum. No more than 10 people are permitted in your bubble and they need to be the same 10 people.
· Don’t go out if you have cold-like symptoms such as a sore or scratchy throat, runny nose or a cough. Do a rapid test and if you test positive, assume you have COVID19. Book a PCR test to confirm. Isolate away from others.
· Use rapid tests according to the instructions included and only when needed. Public Health is no longer advising people who have no symptoms or close contact to use the test. They want only those with symptoms or who have been told that they are a close contact of a positive case to use the rapid test. Rapid tests will no longer be available at public libraries as they are in short supply.
· To get rapid tests in Millbrook, please contact Millbrook Security. Security will deliver rapid tests over the Christmas holidays to those who have COVID19 symptoms or who have been told they are close contacts of a positive case. They will drop them off at your door but you need to be home as the rapid tests cannot be kept in cold temperatures. The Millbrook Health Centre will re-open on January 6th and you will be able to request rapid tests from the health centre then.
· If you have been notified by Public Health that you are a close contact of a positive case, or you had a positive rapid test, book a PCR test by calling 811 or 1-833-797-7772 or https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting
· Public Health or our community health nurse or family doctor will follow up with you if you contact them to notify them that you tested positive with either a Rapid or PCR test. If you prefer to contact only Public Health to notify them that you tested positive with the Rapid or PCR test, email publichealthPOCT@nshealth.ca and give them your name, date of birth, health card number, and the date your test came back positive. They will follow up with you and connect you to supports you need.
· Wear your mask properly (over your nose). Single layer cloth masks are not protective, including the neck scarf type.
· Keep your distance from people (6 feet).
· Limit going to restaurants and bars as people are more likely to be un-masked. To support your local restaurants, get take-out instead.
· Get at least 2 doses of a COVID19 vaccine, and get your booster vaccine when you are eligible. Drop-in vaccine clinics can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/drop-in-vaccine-clinics. Vaccine clinics are available at some pharmacies at https://pans.ns.ca/walk-covid-19-vaccine-clinics. The Millbrook Health Centre will have another COVID19 vaccine clinic in early January. Stay tuned for the date of that clinic.
If you have a question about COVID19, symptoms, testing, vaccines, etc. please call 811 or email COVIDQuestions@nshealth.ca.
If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
We can all do our part to minimize the impact of COVID19 in our community. Please be safe and Merry Christmas.