The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority said it declared the outbreak in the La Ronge reserve due to an increasing number of confirmed coronavirus cases.

Public health officials said there is an increasing number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Stanley Mission, Sask., linked to two private family gatherings.

Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority medical health officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka said the increases in coronavirus cases continues to be concerning.

The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority advises attendees to stay in isolation until assessed by their public health unit.

The NITHA said individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus attended wake and funeral events in Pelican Narrows and Waterhen Lake.

The novel coronavirus poses a heightened threat to Indigenous communities because of limited access to health-care services and socio-economic factors have made them more vulnerable.