COVID-19 GN Update – February 1, 2022

Press Release

Ullakkut,

As of this morning Nunavut has 462 positive cases of COVID-19.

We have active cases in 18 communities – the reported numbers are:

21 in Arviat,
44 in Baker Lake,
39 in Cambridge Bay,
Two in Chesterfield Inlet,
26 in Coral Harbour,
94 in Igloolik
84 in Iqaluit,
Zero in Gjoa Haven,
Zero Kimmirut
21 in Kinngait,
Zero in Kugaaruk,
Ten Kugluktuk
Seven in Naujaat,
Five in Pangnirtung,
14 in Pond Inlet,
Two in Qikiqtarjuaq,
23 in Rankin Inlet,
Seven in Sanirajak,
32 in Sanikiluaq,
24 in Taloyoak, and
Seven in Whale Cove.

We have 83 reported recoveries today. There have been 684 total reported recoveries in this outbreak.

I want to remind Nunavummiut of the COVID-19 resource lines we have available. Please remember that the health and wellbeing of our communities is all our responsibilities.

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.

Please get vaccinated, get your children vaccinated, and get your booster shot when you can.

As always, continue to adhere to public health measures.

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

Together we can make our communities safer for everyone.

Qujannamiik.

Minister of Health Update:

Good morning,

Caring for and protecting our Elders during this pandemic continues to be among our top priorities. As of yesterday, the number of Elders and care facility staff here in the territory with active cases of COVID-19 was ten. The numbers are shared between the Cambridge Bay Continuing Care Centre, the Arviat Elders Home, the Gjoa Haven Continuing Care Centre and the Igloolik Continuing Care Centre. Of those cases, one is an Elder. All positive staff are at home in isolation until recovered.

I am happy to report that recoveries from COVID-19 continue at Embassy West in Ottawa and fewer than five non-Nunavut resident elders at that facility have active COVID-19.

I’d like to thank all our Home and Continuing Care staff for their dedication and strength in the face of adversity.

We are also working closely with the Department of Justice to manage the outbreak of COVID-19 at the Iqaluit Healing Facility. As of yesterday, there were 45 cases of COVID-19 at the facility – 30 inmates and 15 staff.

I encourage everyone to continue following public health measures. Please take advantage of the vaccination clinics that are upcoming across Nunavut, or book an appointment to get your shot. Let’s all get vaccinated and reduce the risks from COVID-19 for our families, our friends, and our communities.

Thank you.

Minister of Human Resources Update:

Ullaakkut.

I commend the people who are in isolation fighting the virus. I realize this is a difficult and lonely time. But you are not alone. Government of Nunavut employees and their family can call the toll-free number 1-800-663-1142 for personal counselling through our Employee and Family Assistance Program in any of Nunavut’s official languages. It’s free and confidential.

When we return to the workplace, we need to follow health and safety procedures for the well-being of all public servants. Updated health and safety guidelines have been posted on the GN’s internal website and distributed to all GN employees via email.

We also recognize the increased risk of infection from the Omicron variant of COVID-19. As part of our commitment to safe and healthy workplaces, we would like to assure all GN employees that additional measures are being taken to prevent exposure to the virus in preparation for the return to the workplace.

By using the latest information from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, and industry best practices, GN departments will be well equipped to manage the risk of COVID-19 infection.

The health, safety and wellness of Nunavummiut is our priority. Combining the best information from trusted sources with the expert knowledge of our front-line staff will allow the GN to continue providing sustainable service while protecting its employees.

We must regularly assess safety procedures in the workplace and adjust, as necessary. GN offices will reopen by February 1 (today) in all communities except for staff in Igloolik. We continue to encourage supervisors to support hybrid schedules for their employees to balance work from home and work from office to reduce exposure between staff. This measure will remain in place until February 11.

We must regularly assess safety procedures in the workplace and adjust, as necessary.

GN employees in Igloolik will continue to work from home until the public health measures for the community are amended.
All other GN employees may return to their workplaces today, however the offices remain closed to the public except by appointment.

We continue to encourage supervisors to support hybrid schedules for their employees to balance work from home and work from office to reduce exposure between staff. This measure will remain in place until February 11.

Lastly and most importantly, please get vaccinated and get your booster shot.

If you are able, please get vaccinated. By getting vaccinated you are helping to keep people who can’t get vaccinated safe.

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good morning,

I would like to remind people today of the isolation rules and how they related to self-rapid tests. Through the GN, there are a limited number of Rapid Tests that are going to essential workers or being provided to travellers returning from southern Canada. Some people are also purchasing tests privately. It is important to understand that these tests do not replace isolation or shorten isolation. If you are under an isolation order or are isolating because you have COVID-19 symptoms, you must complete the full isolation period. Rapid tests are not as reliable as PCR testing, and there is a higher risk of a false negative. This means if you leave isolation early you are increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others.

If you use a self-rapid test, that is fine, please keep the following in mind:

If you test positive, call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-975-8601.
If you test negative, remain isolated until you haven’t had symptoms for at least 24 hours.
Anyone who feels sick, should stay home.

Symptoms can vary between individuals and depend on the variant of COVID-19 you have. Omicron is generally milder than other types of COVID-19 and include runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat. Other variants of COVID-19 the symptoms include fever, cough and loss of taste and smell. This is why we are asking anyone who feels sick, even if it seems mild, to stay home and isolate.

If you’re sick, stay home for seven days if you have been vaccinated or 10 days if you are not vaccinated. If after the isolation period you still have symptoms, remain isolated until you have been symptom free for 24 hours.

As of today, there have been 13 hospitalizations associated with this current wave of COVID-19 that began in early December.

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

IHT5