GNT: Daily Update – August 23, 2021 – as of 12:00 pm
Press Release
YELLOWKNIFE August 23, 2021 – The Office of Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) is announcing 21 new cases of COVID-19 in the NWT since August 20th for a total of 219 active cases among residents in the territory and one out of territory case for a total of 220 active cases.
Community Breakdown
| Region | Community | Total Case Count |
| Sahtu | Fort Good Hope | 89 |
| Colville Lake | 74 | |
| Deline | 9 | |
| Norman Wells | 18 | |
| Beaufort Delta | Inuvik | 1 |
| Hay River | Hay River | 1 |
| Yellowknife/North Slave | Yellowknife | 27 |
| Fort Providence | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 220 | |
Hospitalizations are less than 5.
Check the NWT COVID-19 Dashboard for further details about percentage of unvaccinated cases and Variant of Concern updates.
https://nwt-covid.shinyapps.io/Testing-and-Cases/?lang=1(link is external)
New Public Health Exposure Locations for Aug. 23, 2021
For a full list of all CURRENT public exposure notifications: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/services/public-exposure-notifications
| Location | Date(s)/Time range(s) | Required Action(s) |
Alberta Indigenous Games – Edmonton, Alberta
Sporting Events at:
|
|
Self Monitor. Wear a mask in all public places.
If symptoms develop, immediately isolate and arrange testing. |
Fort Good Hope/Colville Lake
The OCPHO has issued a local containment order for Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake. The Public Health Order is pursuant to s.25 of the Public Health Act and mandates containment measures for 10 days to prevent further COVID-19 transmission.
Self-Isolation instructions for residents:
https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/residents-fort-good-hope-and-colville-lake-who-are-currently-those-communities
Public Health Orders:
https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/current-public-health-orders
Norman Wells
On Wednesday August 18 the CPHO declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the Sahtú Dene Nechá Kǫ́ Long Term Care Facility in Norman Wells. The Chief Public Health Officer is recommending that residents of Norman Wells keep to a limited friendship circle, and to avoid indoor gatherings at this time.
When people gather it can spread the virus. By limiting your social circle to those within your household and five close friends, it can help decrease your number of interactions and reduce the risk of transmission in the community.
Consider working from home if possible, getting takeout or picnicking rather than dining indoors, wear a mask when not with household members or in indoor spaces and connecting with friends or loved ones over the phone or virtually.
If at any time you or someone in your circle is sick stay home and seek testing.
Health Service Updates
Anyone who has been exposed to COVID or has COVID symptoms who requires care or services should call in advance. Please do not show up at the health centre to request testing. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 isolate at home and call ahead for testing. Anyone who is identified as a contact who needs testing will be contacted, everyone should review the exposure notices and follow the advice required whether that’s masking, isolating, or getting tested.
It’s important to remember that the rapid response team is not the only resource in communities. They are sent in to quickly stand up outbreak responses and add resources – people, additional testing supplies and equipment – to assist local staff with implementing and refining the processes we’ve created in preparation for outbreaks like this. When this group leaves, the response doesn’t stop – and teams will be moved around to add capacity where required. Our current focus is on testing, contact tracing and issuing to exposure notifications to the public, in order to limit the spread of the virus.
Current Service Level Update: https://www.nthssa.ca/en/newsroom/public-notice-service-level-updates-sahtu-dehcho-and-yellowknife-regions(link is external)
Supports in community
These measures are not easy.
The GNWT is working with all communities affected to support emergency response needs in the event residents need support during this time.
Assisting northerners manage their mental health is important as we continue to respond the COVID-19 pandemic. If you wish to speak with someone the NWT Community Counselling Program provides on-the-ground access to mental health services in all of the regions. For more information or to contact the counselor in your community please visit our website: https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-community-counselling-program-ccp.
Attribution
All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.
Relevant links
- NWT COVID-19 Dashboard(link is external)
- Travel Hotspots
- Delta Variant FAQs
- GWNT COVID-19 website
- Vaccination Bookings(link is external)
Media Contact
Dawn Ostrem
Manager, COVID Communications
COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
[email protected](link sends e-mail)
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