COVID-19 GN Update - January 27, 2022

Premier’s update:

Ullakkut,

As of this morning Nunavut has 279 positive cases of COVID-19.

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

• 18 in Arviat,
• 28 in Baker Lake,
• 31 in Cambridge Bay,
• One in Chesterfield Inlet,
• 15 in Coral Harbour,
• 55 in Igloolik
• 33 in Iqaluit,
• Zero in Gjoa Haven,
• Zero Kimmirut
• 16 in Kinngait,
• Zero in Kugaaruk,
• Two Kugluktuk
• Five in Naujaat,
• Zero in Pangnirtung,
• Seven in Pond Inlet,
• Zero in Qikiqtarjuaq,
• 18 in Rankin Inlet,
• Five in Sanirajak,
• 28 in Sanikiluaq,
• 11 in Taloyoak, and
• Six in Whale Cove. 

We have 73 reported recoveries today. There have been 591 total reported recoveries in this outbreak.

I am also pleased to note that we have allocated additional supports for vulnerable Nunavummiut as part of the Government of Nunavut’s COVID-19 Response Plan. This additional $3.25 million will be made available through various community initiatives. The Department of Family Services has reallocated $1.25 million to provide community food organizations or municipalities with grants so they can support food security initiatives. The department has also provided an additional $1 million for the Ikur’raq cabin building program.

Finally, Tukisigiarvik, Ilitaqsiniq, Ilisaqsivik and the Embrace Life Council will each receive $250,000 to continue to provide services and programs to Nunavummiut in need. These initiatives are led by The Department of Family Services.

Qujannamiik Minister Nakashuk for this initiative.

The Minister is here to answer any questions regarding these initiatives.

I want to remind Nunavummiut of the COVID-19 resource lines we have available. 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. Please be patient – the staff are dealing with high volumes of calls.

For those with travel related questions please call Government of Nunavut’s toll-free travel line at 1-833-524-0735. Operators and staff are available to help in all four official languages.

Please get vaccinated, get your children vaccinated, and get your booster shot when you can. I know many of us are feeling the weight of the pandemic, but we can’t let our guard down.

We must continue to adhere to public health measures.

• Stay home when possible.
• Stick to your small bubble.
• Wear a mask.
• Alert the COVID hotline and isolate if you have any symptoms.

Above all be patient and kind.

Qujannamiik.

 

Minister of Health Update:

Ublaattiaq, Morning.

I’d like to speak about how dangerous misinformation regarding Covid 19 can be. Unfortunately, there are some Nunavummiut who are using radio or social media to spread lies regarding vaccinations. As we go through tough times as a territory, there is nothing to be gained from these lies.

I will say this again - the Covid vaccines are safe. As I see our youth and others getting vaccinated, I feel real hope for the future. Having more people vaccinated will also help us go back to living more normal lives. On the other hand, vaccine misinformation puts Nunavummiut at risk. Misinformation only provides fear and destroys trust.

Those who are not vaccinated are at much greater risk of becoming very ill or dying from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is a personal choice. If you don’t believe in the

vaccine, please do not put others at risk with your false information.

If you are unsure about the vaccine, and if you have questions – that’s okay. Listen to the experts. Listen to Dr. Patterson. Speak to a nurse that you trust. Don’t listen to social media or community members who are not health professionals.

I’d also like to speak about how important it is to respect our Nunavut Health staff during these tough times. Now, I know some people are frustrated by the public health measures. But Please Do not take your frustrations out on health staff. Some of our health professionals are facing abusive and threatening language. Health staff are working long hours. They are there to help. They do not control the public health measures and they are working as hard as they can to provide communities with the best possible care.

Let’s keep working together against Covid-19. If you are struggling with isolation, the restrictions, or the stress and anxiety from COVID-19, as many of us are, there is help available. I encourage Nunavummiut to access the mental health services and hotlines available across the territory. Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line: 1-800-265-3333 and for Government of Nunavut employees there is the Employee and Family Assistance Program: 1-800-663-1142

Please remember we are all in this together and we are all doing the best we can. We all have a role to play in getting through this pandemic and your actions help protect everyone’s health.

Thank you.

 

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good morning,

Over the past few days, we have received questions about how we decide to change public health restrictions and why one community has stricter public health measures than others.

It is important to understand that the number of cases of COVID-19 in a community do not necessarily represent the degree of spread nor the level of risk. There are other factors that need to be considered together when we assess the risk to a community. These include the number of households involved; how fast the virus is spreading; whether or not Health staff can keep up with testing and tracing, and what percentage of the community has been vaccinated. We consider all of these factors when setting measures.

The best ways to reduce the risk to communities include:

• Staying home when you are sick.
• Following public health measures.
• Wearing masks.
• Limiting nonessential gatherings.
• Following the isolation rules.
• Getting vaccinated.

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: January 27, 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
30,696	1,544	279	1,260	5	31,855	25,367	11,123

COVID-19 community case statistics: January 27, 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
Kugluktuk	Ongoing	Since 23 Jan 2022	3	3	0	1	1	2
Kimmirut	Ongoing	Since 22 Jan 2022	1	1	0	1	1	0
Naujaat	Ongoing	Since 15 Jan 2022	15	15	0	10	6	5
Kugaaruk	Ongoing	Since 14 Jan 2022	2	2	0	2	0	0
Gjoa Haven	Ongoing	Since 14 Jan 2022	4	4	0	4	0	0
Taloyoak	Ongoing	Since 11 Jan 2022	10	15	5	4	0	11
Coral Harbour	Ongoing	Since 9 Jan 2022	30	31	1	16	1	15
Whale Cove	Ongoing	Since 7 Jan 2022	19	19	0	12	0	6
Sanikiluaq	Ongoing	Since 4 Jan 2022	45	45	1	18	6	28
Kinngait	Ongoing	Since 01/02/2022	59	64	5	48	2	16
Pond Inlet	Ongoing	Since 01/01/2022	6	8	2	1	0	7
Chesterfield Inlet	Ongoing	Since 01/01/2022	6	6	0	5	0	1
Cambridge Bay	Ongoing	Since 12/30/2021	76	77	1	46	5	31
Igloolik	Ongoing	Since 12/29/2021	50	75	25	20	2	55
Baker Lake	Ongoing	Since 12/29/2021	59	62	3	34	14	28
Arviat	Ongoing	Since 12/29/2021	122	123	1	105	7	18
Sanirajak	Ongoing	Since 12/29/2021	26	26	0	21	1	5
Qikiqtarjuaq	Ongoing	Since 12/28/2021	8	8	0	8	1	0
Rankin Inlet	Ongoing	Since 12/23/2021	90	97	7	79	8	18
Pangnirtung	Ongoing	Since 12/23/2021	26	26	26	0	26	0
0	Ongoing	Since 11/04/2021	157	163	6	130	18	33
TOTAL			814	871	57	591	73	279

*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: January 25, 2022

Details/Limitations:

This information shows the number of doses given in a community as of January 25, 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 may be 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 January 26
Medical	54
Public	0
EMTI	0
Construction	0
Total	54

Traveller repatriation summary:

Departure Date	# of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites
Jan. 27, 2022	7
Jan. 28, 2022	2
Jan. 29, 2022	5
Jan. 30, 2022	5
Jan. 31, 2022	10
Total	29

 

Department of Education Services

Ongoing services:

K-12 Schools

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

• Schools in Cambridge Bay, Arviat, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit, Kinngait, 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).
• 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:

Early Learning and Child Care

As advised by the CPHO, Igloolik child care facilities may remain open for essential workers.

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.
• 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, Igloolik schools are closed to students and staff.

• Schools in Igloolik will reach out to students regarding remote learning for the coming week.

January diploma exams for Nunavut students have been cancelled. Students who were scheduled to write a diploma exam in January 2022 will receive an exemption and their school mark will stand for 100% of their overall mark.

 

 

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.