COVID-19 GN Update – January 27, 2022

Press Release

27 January 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

Read More: https://www.gov.nu.ca/executive-and-intergovernmental-affairs/news/covid-19-gn-update-january-27-2022

IHT5