Walpole Island First Nation now has 5 confirmed cases of COVID-19

Walpole Island First Nation now has a total of five confirmed cases of COVID-19, less than one week after Chief Dan Miskokomon announced the community's first two cases.

Walpole Island First Nation Coun. Ron Soney made the announcement through a Facebook video on Wednesday, saying that a total of 14 community members have been tested for coronavirus.

Soney said seven people have tested negative, while two people are still waiting for their results.

"Our Health Center is keeping in touch with those members and all contact tracing has occurred," he said. "Everybody who has been in close contact with the individuals, have been notified and informed that they should be in self-isolation."

WATCH |Walpole Island First Nation Coun. Ron Soney shares details about COVID-19 in his community

Soney said members of his community are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to underlying health issues, adding that "we all need to be very diligent with staying home and not having anybody in our homes that doesn't live with us."

Walpole Island First Nation leaders are continuing to order personal protective equipment for the community, with Soney saying that additional details about distribution should be available soon.

"We have to all act as if we have [COVID-19]. Stay home, wash your hands and don't touch your face," he said. "Our health center is working closely with the Lambton Public health to increase our capacity for managing COVID-19 here in our community."

Walpole Island First Nation restricted access to non-residents in early April to prevent the spread of COVID-19.