Press Release
Today we are reporting seven new cases and nine recoveries of COVID-19. There are 70 active cases in the territory, all in Iqaluit. There have been 107 recoveries to date in this outbreak.
So far, 16,419 Nunavummiut have received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, and 12,878 Nunavummiut are now fully vaccinated.
It’s National Nursing Week and I can’t stress enough how vital our nurses are. They keep Nunavummiut healthy and well and are the first point of healthcare in most of our communities.
There aren’t enough words to properly show my gratitude, especially for their constant and tireless work during this pandemic, but thank you. Your efforts and dedication are the backbone of our response to COVID-19 and healthcare delivery in general. Nunavut is grateful, forever.
So, Nunavummiut, let’s show our appreciation for our nurses by thanking them, showing them respect and kindness, and most of all by continuing to follow all the public health measures we have in place. Our nurses deserve a break in all this more than any of us know.
Mask up. Wash your hands often. Stay home as much as possible. Keep strict social distance. Make safe, healthy, responsible choices. Get vaccinated.
Chief Public Health Officer Update:
Good morning,
Over the weekend we made the difficult decision to close the Iqaluit Elders’ Home after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the majority of staff are isolating, which makes it impossible to provide safe, quality care to residents.
Four residents were sent to Embassy West in Ottawa, while two were sent elsewhere in the territory, one of these returned home with family and the other to another elders’ facility in Nunavut. Both of these individuals will isolate for 2 weeks. For the person who returned home, their family also must isolate.
Once staffing permits, most residents will be able to return. While the centre is closed, elders who need care will be supported in other facilities either here in the territory or down south, depending on need.
On Saturday we announced that the last individual in Kinngait with active infection has recovered. With this in mind, it is safe to ease restrictions, including lifting the current travel ban in and out of the community, effective Wednesday, May 12. Anyone returning to Kinngait from Iqaluit must continue to isolate for 14 days, along with their households.
Other measures in the community include:
As I continue to urge people to follow public health measures, I would like to remind people to be mindful of habits that present a risk for acquiring COVID-19. Sharing things like cigarettes increases the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19. Being outside, gathering in groups, not being six-feet apart, not wearing masks, are activities that put the entire group at risk from COVID-19.
We must all take the time and think about our actions right now, so we can protect ourselves and those around us.
Thank you.
* Correction regarding Kinngait measures:
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 status: May 10
Total Tests | Total confirmed cases | Total active cases | Total recovered cases | Deaths | Total persons followed | Current persons followed |
13,494 | 572 | 70 | 498 | 4 | 8656 | 437 |
*Confirmed cases include those meeting the national case definitions. Persons followed includes individuals with specific symptoms and exposures as well as others who are self-monitoring or self-isolated. Not all of these individuals have symptoms or require testing.
*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 community case statistics: May 10
Community | Active COVID-19 transmission | Time period | Confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday | Confirmed COVID-19 cases today | Change in case count +/- from previous day | Deaths | Recovered Cases | Total active cases |
Iqaluit | Ongoing | Since 14/04/2021 | 162 | 169 | 7 | 0 | 99 | 70 |
Kinngait | Ongoing | Since 19/04/2021 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Rankin Inlet | Ongoing | Since 24/04/2021 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Arviat | over | 11/2020 – 04/2021 | 339 | 339 | 0 | 1 | 338 | 0 |
Whale Cove | over | 11/2020 – 02/2021 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
Rankin Inlet | over | 11/2020 – 12/2020 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
Sanikiluaq | over | 11/2020 – 12/2020 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
TOTAL | 553 | 560 | 7 | 1 | 489 | 70 |
COVID-19 vaccination status: May 10
First doses administered | Second doses administered | Total vaccine doses administered |
16,419 | 12,878 | 29,297 |
*Total vaccine administered is updated as regularly as possible but might be lower than actual count.
Testing stats to date: May 10
Community | Tests Positive | Tests Negative |
Iqaluit | 149 | 1900 |
Kinngait | 6 | 139 |
Rankin Inlet | 2 | 46 |
Arviat | 339 | 2,883 |
Whale Cove | 23 | 352 |
Rankin Inlet | 19 | 339 |
Sanikiluaq | 2 | 202 |
TOTAL | 540 | 5,861 |
Isolation population:
Traveler Type | Guests in Isolation as of May 7 |
Medical | 412 |
Public | 224 |
EMTI | 27 |
Construction | 31 |
Total | 694 |
Traveller repatriation summary:
Departure Date | # of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites |
May 8, 2021 | 2 |
May 9, 2021 | 25 |
May 10, 2021 | 80 |
May 11, 2021 | 79 |
May 12, 2021 | 66 |
Total | 252 |
Critical Worker Requests:
As of May 10, there were 16,167 requests, 8,039 of which were critical worker requests.
Request Status | # | % |
Approved (includes critical and non-critical) | 12,438 | 77.0% |
Denied | 311 | 1.9% |
Pending | 491 | 3.0% |
Common Travel Area | 2927 | 18.1% |
Total | 16,167 | 100% |
Department of Education Services
New developments in programs/ services:
K-12 Schools
According to the Chief Public Health Officer, the following stage changes will apply to Nunavut schools:
Kinngait schools will implement their Stage 3 action plan.
In light of this announcement, Kinngait schools moving to Stage 3 will be given the flexibility needed to organize this transition.
Early Learning and Child Care
As of Wednesday, May 12, 2021, Kinngait child care facilities can reopen.
Ongoing services:
K-12 Schools
The following stages continue to be in effect:
Schools will implement the appropriate action plan for their current stage.
Early Learning and Child Care
All Nunavut childcare facilities can remain open, with the exception of Iqaluit and Kinngait.
As of Wednesday, May 12, 2021, Kinngait childcare facilities can reopen.
Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)
Students booking their FANS-eligible travel must follow the public health measures and recommendations of the CPHO.
If students have questions about their travel, they can contact the FANS office for information at fanstravel@gov.nu.ca.
Adjusted services:
K-12 Schools
According to the Chief Public Health Officer, the following stage changes will apply to Nunavut schools:
Kinngait schools will implement their Stage 3 action plan.
In light of this announcement, Kinngait schools moving to Stage 3 will be given the flexibility needed to organize this transition.
In Stage 3, instruction for all grade levels will be a blend of in-school and remote learning. Elementary school students will attend school three days per week. Middle and high school students will attend school two days per week with staggered schedules to reduce physical interaction. All school staff will report to school, and will adhere to strict physical distancing and other health and safety measures. School staff will regularly communicate with all students.
Early Learning and Child Care
As of Wednesday, May 12, 2021, Kinngait childcare facilities can reopen.
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
K-12 Schools
Iqaluit schools are closed for in-school instruction until further notice.
Early Learning and Child Care
Iqaluit childcare facilities are closed until further notice.
Department of Community and Government services
All isolation requests for construction worker are to be booked through CPHOConstructionRequests@gov.nu.ca. Isolations occur in Ottawa and Quebec City construction hubs, as well as in Winnipeg and Edmonton.
Construction Workers Completed Isolation and Travelled to Nunavut | |
2021 Total to Date | 914 |
January | 164 |
February | 220 |
March | 204 |
April | 269 |
May 1- 9 | 57 |
May – Dec 2020 Total | 2,183 |
Department of Justice Services
New developments in programs/ services:
Since May 6, 2 more inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 with 1 recovery. The current number of inmates with COVID-19 is 11.
All staff and inmates at the affected facilities have been tested for COVID-19 and contact tracing with the Department of Health is ongoing.
Ongoing services:
All other correctional facilities remain operational.
Community Corrections offices in Kinngait will be reopening to the public on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
Adjusted services:
All inmates are confined to their dorms to isolate.
Additional safety measures are being taken in both affected facilities, including enhanced use of personal protective equipment.
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
All access to Makigiarvik and Baffin Correctional Centre has been limited to staff and inmates only.
Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.
IHT5