A dramatic increase in cases at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba has prompted leaders to put the entire community under lockdown.

There were 63 active cases on Sunday but that had jumped to 124 by Monday.

All 28 seniors who live in the reserve's long-term care home have tested positive for COVID-19, the community's leader, Christian Sinclair, says.

“Our No. 1 goal is to stabilize and flatten that curve,” said Sinclair, who added the First Nation is investigating how the virus was able to spread within the care home so quickly.

Sinclair says he is considering whether to ask for help from the military.