COVID-19 GN Update - February 15, 2022

Premier’s update:

Ullakkut,

And a special greeting to all the Elders watching.

As of this morning Nunavut has 352 positive cases of COVID-19.

We have active cases in 16 communities – the reported numbers are:

  • One in Arctic Bay
  • 18 in Arviat,
  • 12 in Baker Lake,
  • 15 in Cambridge Bay,
  • Zero in Chesterfield Inlet,
  • Nine in Coral Harbour,
  • 39 in Igloolik
  • 113 in Iqaluit,
  • Zero in Gjoa Haven,
  • Zero Kimmirut
  • 13 in Kinngait,
  • 15 in Kugaaruk,
  • Zero Kugluktuk
  • Two in Naujaat,
  • Nine in Pangnirtung,
  • Zero in Pond Inlet,
  • Zero in Qikiqtarjuaq,
  • 45 in Rankin Inlet,
  • 11 Resolute Bay
  • 13 in Sanirajak,
  • 12 in Sanikiluaq,
  • 25 in Taloyoak, and
  • Zero in Whale Cove. 

We have 154 reported recoveries today. There have been 1,237 total reported recoveries in this outbreak.

As of February 10, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation started distributing Rapid Access Tests to critical business services in Iqaluit. Distribution of Rapid Access Tests for critical business workers in all other Nunavut communities started over the weekend and continues this week.

The critical business services that will be receiving the Rapid Access Tests include:

  • Taxis.
  • Food retail workers.
  • Emergency home repair service workers.
  • Meat and fish processing facility workers.
  • Cargo operators.
  • Airport maintainers.

In the coming weeks as we receive more Rapid Access Tests from the Government of Canada, we will expand distribution to all businesses that want them.

I want to remind Nunavummiut of the available COVID-19 resource. If you develop symptoms such as a – runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever or difficulty breathing –call the COVID hotline at 1-888-975-8601.

If you are isolating because of COVID-19, you can call 1-888-902-0872 or email isolationsupports@gov.nu.ca to access the Government of Nunavut isolation grocery hamper.

For those with travel related questions please call Government of Nunavut’s toll-free travel line at 1-833-524-0735.

Once again please get vaccinated and get your booster shot. The best way to protect our children, Elders and vulnerable members of our community is through vaccination.

As always, continue to adhere to public health measures.

  • Stay home when possible.
  • Stick to your small bubble.
  • Wear a mask. 

Qujannamiik.

 

Minister of Justice Update:

Good morning. I would like to provide an update on our correctional healing facilities. Three facilities are impacted by COVID-19.

Aaqqigiravik Correctional Healing Facility has eight active cases and 79 recoveries with clients and staff combined.

Rankin Inlet Healing Facility and Women’s Correctional Center staff have been impacted with two active and two recoveries so far.

I’d like to take this opportunity to call for anyone with correctional training that there are openings in our facilities and encourage that you phone 867-979-8120 if your interested in working for us.

Thank you.

 

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good morning,

After assessing the outbreak situation across the territory, we will be easing public health measures in many communities to allow for larger public gatherings and more visitors in homes. Restaurants and licensed businesses may open to reduced capacity. These changes will come into effect Feb 21.

On the same day, measures in Igloolik will ease, allowing for some visiting between houses.

Due to ongoing concerns with community transmission of COVID-19, measures in Arctic Bay, Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Coral Harbour, Sanikiluaq, Cambridge Bay, Kugaaruk, Resolute, Taloyoak will remain at current levels.

Full details on the current restrictions will be available on the GN website at www.gov.nu.ca.

We have also made changes to the way we are conducting contact tracing in an effort to more effectively use health resources.

Depending on the status of COVID-19 in a community, individuals with diagnosed COVID-19 will, in many instances, be asked to notify their own high-risk contacts; and only contacts who develop symptoms will be advised to call the hotline for further assessment or testing.

High-risk contacts are people you have had close contact with two days before you tested positive or started feeling unwell, whichever came first.

Examples of high-risk contacts include:

  • Anyone who you have been closer than two metres with for more than 15 minutes without a mask.
  • Anyone who lives with you or has visited or slept at your house in the two days before you felt unwell or had a positive test.
  • Anyone you work closely with.
  • Anyone you have shared a vehicle with when one or both of you were not wearing a mask.

If you are identified as a high-risk contact, please isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status. If you do develop symptoms, call the hotline for further direction.

Finally, as of this week, all Nunavummiut over the age of 5 have access to at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This means the vaccine is available to nearly 90% of our population. I urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity. The vaccine is our best defence against severe COVID-19 infection.

Thank you.

 

As part of the Government of Nunavut’s (GN) effort to protect Nunavummiut against the risk of COVID-19, GN Departments are implementing the following:

Department of Health Services

For all the latest information and resources about COVID-19 in Nunavut, go to:
https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

For the latest information on current public health restrictions, go to: 
https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/nunavuts-path

For information on upcoming vaccine clinics go to:
https://gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-vaccination

 

COVID-19 case statistics: February 15, 2022

Total Tests Total confirmed cases Total active cases Total recovered cases Deaths Total persons vaccinated with at least one dose in Nunavut Total persons vaccinated with two doses in Nunavut Total persons vaccinated with three doses in Nunavut
32,416 2263 352 1906 5 32860 27289 13182

COVID-19 community case statistics: February 8, 2022

Community

COVID-19 status

Time period

Public case count yesterday (TOTAL)

Public case count today (TOTAL) Change from yesterday (cases) Cumulative Recovered Change from yesterday (recoveries) Total Active Cases
Arctic Bay Ongoing February 12, 2022 1 1 0 0 0 1
Resolute Bay Ongoing February 18, 2022 15 15 0 4 4 11
Kugluktuk Ongoing Since 23 Jan 2022 18 18 0 18 2 0
Kimmirut Ongoing Since 22 Jan 2022 1 1 0 1 0 0
Naujaat Ongoing Since 15 Jan 2022 18 18 0 16 0 2
Kugaaruk Ongoing Since 14 Jan 2022 18 20 2 5 3 15
Gjoa Haven Ongoing Since 14 Jan 2022 5 5 0 5 0 0
Taloyoak Ongoing Since 11 Jan 2022 77 78 1 53 19 25
Coral Harbour Ongoing Since 9 Jan 2022 56 56 0 47 4 9
Whale Cove Ongoing Since 7 Jan 2022 20 20 0 19 0 0
Sanikiluaq Ongoing Since 4 Jan 2022 54 54 0 42 0 12
Kinngait Ongoing Since 01/02/2022 85 85 0 72 2 13
Pond Inlet Ongoing Since 01/01/2022 19 19 0 19 0 0
Chesterfield Inlet Ongoing Since 01/01/2022 7 7 0 7 0 0
Cambridge Bay Ongoing Since 12/30/2021 123 123 0 108 9 15
Igloolik Ongoing

Since 12/29/2021

167 170 3 131 6 39
Baker Lake Ongoing Since 12/29/2021 104 104 0 92 11 12

Arviat

Ongoing Since 12/29/2021 134 134 0 116 0 18
Sanirajak Ongoing

Since 12/29/2021

42 42 0 29 3 13
Qikiqtarjuaq Ongoing

Since 12/28/2021

13 13 0 13 3 0
Rankin Inlet Ongoing

Since 12/23/2021

158 160 2 115 10 45
Pangnirtung Ongoing

Since 12/23/2021

45 45 0 36 2 9
0 Ongoing Since 11/04/2021 387 402 21 289 76 113
TOTAL      1561 1590 29 1237 154 352

*Please note: These numbers change frequently. Every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date and complete, but it may not reflect all persons followed or tested.

** Starting 17 Jan 2022, confirmed cases include those meeting the revised Nunavut case definitions. This includes COVID-19 cases detected either by a confirmatory (PCR) or a presumptive (rapid) test.

***There may be a delay reporting attribution and statistics from cases acquired in Southern Canada. 12 cases that were detected out of territory have been attributed to Nunavut. This includes 3 deaths. Not all NU residents with COVID-19 detected out of territory will be attributed to Nunavut.

COVID-19 vaccination status: February 15, 2022

Details/Limitations:

This information shows the number of doses given in a community as of February 15, 2022. The percentage of vaccine administered is vaccine administered divided by the Nunavut population estimate for 18 and older.

Territorial totals for doses are an accurate summary. The community level data is under review to ensure appropriate attribution. Community totals will be adjusted as needed.  This may lead to minor fluctuations in the percentages by community.

Doses are typically attributed to the community in which they are administered.

Total doses given will include residents and non-residents, including rotational workers.

Multiple communities represent individuals who received doses in two separate communities, or in communities that are not their place of residence.

An individual may have received dose 1 and/or dose 2 outside of their community of residence.

This does not account for people who may have been vaccinated partially or fully out of territory.

A high percentage in one community does not equal herd immunity. There is no established or defined percentage of what herd immunity is for COVID-19. Whatever herd immunity maybe it cannot achieved with current vaccine approvals (e.g. no vaccine available for children under twelve).

Source:

Statistics Canada, Demography Division, Special tabulations. Prepared by: Nunavut Bureau of Statistics, January 27, 2021.

Dose numbers are from the Department of Health's Meditech system.

Eligible adults in community are defined as the number of individuals 18 and older as per the 2020 population estimates.

The community population estimates are "non-official" since they are not based on components of population growth (births, deaths and migration). They should be used with caution.

Isolation population: 

Traveler Type Guests in Isolation as of February 14
Medical 73
Public  1
EMTI 2
Construction 0
Total 76

Traveller repatriation summary:

Departure Date # of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites
Feb. 15, 2022 8
Feb. 16, 2022 3
Feb. 17, 2022 7
Feb. 18, 2022 0
Feb. 19, 2022 3
Total 22

 

 

Department of Education Services

New developments in your programs/services:

K-12 Schools

Based on the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), on Monday, February 21, 2022, Baker Lake, Igloolik, and Kinngait schools will open to 100% capacity.

  • Baker Lake, Igloolik, and Kinngait schools will adhere to all health and safety precautions following department guidelines.
  • Students and staff are reminded to wear masks at school and on the bus.

Early Learning and Child Care

Based on the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), on Monday, February 21, 2022, Igloolik child care facilities may open to all children.

Ongoing services:

K-12 Schools

Based on the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), on Monday, February 21, 2022, Baker Lake, Igloolik, and Kinngait schools will open to 100% capacity.

  • Baker Lake, Igloolik, and Kinngait schools will adhere to all health and safety precautions following department guidelines.
  • Students and staff are reminded to wear masks at school and on the bus.

With the exception of Taloyoak, all other Nunavut schools are open to students at either 50% capacity or 100% capacity, depending on the COVID-19 situation in each community.

  • Schools in Cambridge Bay and Sanikiluaq are open at 50% capacity.
  • Schools in all other communities are open at 100% capacity.
  • Schools will communicate directly to students and families regarding their status and cohort plans.
  • If parents are not sure about their student’s cohort, they should contact their student’s teacher.

FANS

The FANS office continues to process payments for students who have submitted their FANS Student Enrollment Form (SEF). Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) students who have not yet done so should send their FANS SEF (with Part A completed) and their NAC enrollment verification letter to the FANS office.

Students must allow up to 15 business days from the date they submitted their required enrollment document(s) to FANS to the date they should see the funds deposited into their bank account. If after 15 business days students have not received a deposit in their bank account, they can email fans@gov.nu.ca to let them know. Students should attach a copy of their bank statement from January 1 to the current date.

Questions about FANS benefits can be sent to fans@gov.nu.ca. Students with questions about their FANS-eligible travel can contact fanstravel@gov.nu.ca for information. Students who experience flight changes during their travel should email fanstravel@gov.nu.ca during office hours or, if it is after hours, call the after-hours travel number at 1-867-857-6950.

Adjusted services:

FANS

During peak times for the FANS office, such as the start of a new semester, the service standard for responding to emails is 3-5 business days. Response times from the FANS office may be delayed due to active COVID-19 cases in Arviat.

Currently, FANS staff are working remotely, and the regular FANS phone line is not being monitored. If you would like to speak to a FANS representative, please send an email to set up an appointment at fans@gov.nu.ca.

The best way to contact FANS is by email at fans@gov.nu.ca.

Closed/Cancelled/Suspended Services:

K-12 Schools

As advised by the CPHO, schools in Taloyoak are closed to students and staff.

  • Schools in Taloyoak are contacting students and parents regarding remote learning.

 

 

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands, get vaccinated, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.