A former MLA and past Behchok谦虁 chief is fighting for his life in an Edmonton hospital after contracting Covid-19.

Leon Lafferty tested positive for Covid on Jan. 11. After developing chest pains and difficulty breathing over the next few days, he was medevaced to Edmonton on Jan. 16.

At first, his condition improved.

SA国际影视传媒淭he day before he got medevaced, he was actually sitting up in a chair in his room showing videos from his tablet to one of the nurses,SA国际影视传媒� said Tommy Lafferty, his son. SA国际影视传媒淎nd then all of a sudden everything went down.SA国际影视传媒�

His condition worsened after developing a blood clot in his lung. He was sent to Misericordia Community Hospital in Edmonton on Jan. 28, where he was put on life support, where he remains as of Feb. 1.

SA国际影视传媒淗eSA国际影视传媒檚 taking little steps of improvement SA国际影视传媒� like very, very tiny steps of improvement,SA国际影视传媒� Tommy said.

Although he said hospital staff have expressed optimism about some recent changes in LeonSA国际影视传媒檚 health, they caution that he remains critical condition.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e told heSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be here for at least at least a few weeks,SA国际影视传媒� said Tommy.

Leon has been a prominent figure in NWT politics for decades, serving first as the MLA for North Slave (later Monfwi) from 1999 to 2003, and then as Behchok谦虁 chief from 2005 to 2009. Following news of his plight, there was an outpouring of support from family and the community. A family friend is hosting an online raffle where proceeds will go to the Laffertys. Tommy said the family may start a GoFundMe as well.

T艂谋台ch谦 Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty said the local government tries to support all of its community members fighting Covid-19 in hospitals in Yellowknife or Alberta.

For families that have to drive to Yellowknife, the government helps to cover the cost of gas. For those who are isolating at home, the Tlicho government also provides care packages containing food, soap, detergent and other essentials.

SA国际影视传媒淪omething they can get by on, because most of the time they canSA国际影视传媒檛 go out,SA国际影视传媒� said Lafferty, a former MLA for Monfwi and LeonSA国际影视传媒檚 cousin.

For LeonSA国际影视传媒檚 family, and others who have to travel for medical care, Jackson Lafferty said the government helps cover the cost of travel and accommodations.

SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e really struggling right now, and our thoughts and prayers are with them,SA国际影视传媒� he said of Leon and his relatives.

To all community members who are battling Covid, the grand chief said: SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e hoping and praying that they come back to our community soon.SA国际影视传媒�

Tommy said community members can support the family by reaching out directly on social media, or through his cellphone at (867)-446-2425.

Also, SA国际影视传媒渋f anybody has caribou meat, they want to donate to us that we can cook, that would be great,SA国际影视传媒� he added.