COVID-19 GN Update – May 10, 2021

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:

  • Masks remain mandatory.
  • Indoor private gatherings stay at five people, plus household members.
  • Indoor gatherings for public community spaces, including arenas, may allow 50 people or 50 per cent of the facility’s capacity, whichever is less.
  • Places of worship may allow 25 people or 50% of the capacity.
  • Outdoor gatherings up to 50 people with physical distancing are permitted.
  • Solo workouts with masks are allowed anywhere fitness sessions are held.
  • The health centre may permit a maximum of two visitors from immediate family, per patient. Masks are mandatory for visitors and children aged two to four are encouraged to wear masks.
  • Schools move into stage three of the Department of Education plan and daycares may open.

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:

  • Masks remain mandatory.
  • Indoor private gatherings stay at five people, plus household members.
  • Indoor gatherings for public community spaces, including arenas, may allow 25 people or 25 per cent of the facility’s capacity, whichever is less.
  • Places of worship may allow 25 people or 50% of the capacity.
  • Outdoor gatherings up to 25 people with physical distancing are permitted.
  • Solo workouts with masks are allowed anywhere fitness sessions are held.
  • The health centre may permit one visitor from immediate family, per patient. Masks are mandatory for visitors and children aged two to four are encouraged to wear masks.
  • Schools move into stage three of the Department of Education plan and daycares may open.

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:

  • On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, all schools in Kinngait will move to Stage 3.

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:

  • Stage 4 – Schools in Iqaluit and Kinngait (Kinngait will change to Stage 3 on Wednesday, May 12, 2021).
  • Stage 3 – Schools in the Qikiqtani region, except Sanikiluaq , Kinngait, and Iqaluit.
  • Stage 2 – Schools in Rankin Inlet .
  • Stage 1 – Schools in Sanikiluaq, the Kitikmeot region, and Kivalliq region, except for Rankin Inlet.

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:

  • On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, all schools in Kinngait will move to Stage 3.

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.

  • In Stage 4, all instruction will be conducted remotely. All schools are closed to students, staff, and the public. School staff will regularly communicate with all students.

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

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