GNT: Daily Update – October 8, 2021
Press Release
YELLOWKNIFE October 8, 2021 – The number of people with active COVID-19 has continued to grow in Yellowknife while in Behchokǫ̀ the numbers have decreased since yesterday but remain a cause for concern. In Yellowknife, COVID-19 infections are occurring in a variety of workplaces, in day homes and in retail stores. The majority of COVID-19 is no longer linked to the outbreak in the underhoused population in Yellowknife. This is community transmission and the impacts are being felt in all demographics within Yellowknife.
Travel is not recommended between Yellowknife and the other NWT communities except for essential reasons. Now more than ever it is crucial that everyone follow the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) to prevent severe outcomes from COVID-19, preserve capacity within our health system and protect family, friends and all community members.
National data continues to show that children remain at low risk of severe symptoms of COVID-19. However, children are experiencing impacts of the current COVID-19 outbreak. There are currently 69 children under the age of 12 with active COVID-19 in the NWT. Across the NWT children under the age of 12 account for 15% of active infections and also make up 15% of the total number of people with COVID since the beginning of August. There have been 202 cases in children under 12 since the beginning of August. These children are not yet eligible for the vaccine.
This is Thanksgiving weekend and earlier this week the CPHO offered thanks for the hard work so many northerners are doing to keep our families, friends and communities safe. Please celebrate responsibly!
The OCPHO is announcing 45 new cases of COVID-19 in the NWT since October 7. The total number of recent cases, since mid-August, has increased to 1341. There are 452 active cases among residents in the NWT plus four (4) active out-of-territory cases. Of the remaining cases, 864 NWT residents and 15 out-of-territory cases have recovered, and there have been six deaths.
The OCPHO is working to provide the best information and data possible. Occasionally cases, previously considered confirmed, will be removed if additional testing determines they do not have COVID-19.
Community Breakdown
| Region | Community | Active | Total |
| Beaufort Delta | Inuvik | 1 | 4 |
| Dehcho | Fort Liard | 0 | 1 |
| Fort Providence | 0 | 4 | |
| Fort Simpson | 0 | 2 | |
| North Slave | Fort Resolution | 0 | 0 |
| Łutsel Kʼe | 1 | 4 | |
| Dettah, Ndilǫ and Yellowknife | 281 | 685 | |
| Sahtu | Colville Lake | 0 | 79 |
| Délı̨nę | 0 | 21 | |
| Fort Good Hope | 1 | 115 | |
| Norman Wells | 1 | 54 | |
| Tulita | 0 | 9 | |
| South Slave | Fort Smith | 8 | 9 |
| Hay River and K’atl’odeeche First Nation | 7 | 21 | |
| Tłı̨chǫ | Behchokǫ̀ | 152 | 281 |
| Gamètì | 0 | 3 | |
| Wekweètì | 2 | 3 | |
| Whatì | 1 | 33 | |
| Industry | Diavik | 0 | 3 |
| Ekati | 0 | 4 | |
| Gahcho Kué Mine | 0 | 1 | |
| Imperial Oil | 0 | 1 | |
| Snare Lake Hydro | 0 | 2 | |
| Tłı̨chǫ Highway | 1 | 2 | |
| TOTAL | 456 | 1341 | |
- The cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths in the NWT is six.
- The cumulative number of hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic is 48, of which 44 are associated with the current territorial COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak.
- 60% of the total hospitalized cases were not fully vaccinated.
- Cumulative ICU admissions are 16.
New Public Health Exposure Locations for October 8, 2021
FLIGHT
| Location | Date(s)/Time Range(s) | Required Action(s) |
| Edmonton – Yellowknife
Canadian North |
October 5 7:45AM – 9:38AM |
Individuals in rows 13 – 19:
Fully vaccinated: Self monitor. If symptoms develop, immediately Isolate, and arrange testing. Partially/unvaccinated: Isolate for 10 days and arrange testing |
FORT SMITH
| Location | Date(s)/Time Range(s) | Required Action(s) |
| Mary Kaeser Library | October 2 2:00PM – 3:00PM |
Fully and not fully vaccinated individuals who were at this location should self-monitor for symptoms. Isolate and get tested if symptoms develop. |
YELLOWKNIFE
| Location | Date(s)/Time Range(s) | Required Action(s) |
| Vital Abel Boarding Home | September 23 – present | Anyone who stayed at Vital Abel since September 23 should arrange for testing. |
| Legislative Assembly | October 4 8:00AM – 6:00PMOctober 5 8:00AM – 6:00PMOctober 6 8:00AM – 6:00PMOctober 7 8:00AM – 6:00PMOctober 8 8:00AM – 1:00PM |
Fully and not fully vaccinated individuals who were at this location should self-monitor for symptoms. Isolate and get tested if symptoms develop. |
| True Value Hardware | October 4 10:00AM – 6:00PMOctober 5 10:00AM – 2:00PMOctober 6 9:00AM – 2:00PMOctober 7 9:00AM – 4:00PM |
Fully and not fully vaccinated individuals who were at this location should self-monitor for symptoms. Isolate and get tested if symptoms develop. |
| Rochdi’s Independent Grocer (Uptown) | September 30 5:30PM – 6:00PM |
Fully and not fully vaccinated individuals who were at this location should self-monitor for symptoms. Isolate and get tested if symptoms develop. |
Visit our website for a list of all current exposure notifications.
The CPHO is aware of multiple workplaces with active COVID-19 activity. The CPHO is advising that the following worksites are currently experiencing ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks:
- Avens Long Term Care
- RTL/Giant Mine
- TASR (Tlicho All Season Road) project
- Chateau Nova Hotel
- Homebase Yellowknife Youth Centre
- Precious Reio Day Home
There have been repeated COVID-19 public exposures identified at retail locations in Yellowknife over the past few weeks. These locations continue to be monitored for signs of outbreaks and the OCPHO will work with management to implement additional precautions as necessary. These retail locations include:
- Your Independent Grocer (both locations)
- Yellowknife COOP
- Walmart
The CPHO encourages worksites who have an exposure or transmission on their site to submit the appropriate reporting information to WSCC and for employees who have or may have contracted COVID-19 while at work to follow the appropriate reporting requirements to WSCC. These forms and other information regarding workplace exposures can be found here: https://www.wscc.nt.ca/health-safety/covid-19.
The OCPHO is attempting to provide exposure notifications wherever possible with the human resources available. Community spread occurring in Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife makes this a challenging task. Residents in these communities should keep in mind that any public place could result in exposure to COVID-19.
View all Public Health Orders on our Website
COVID-19 Gathering Order – Yellowknife, Ndilǫ and Dettah (effective September 29, 2021)
The Public Health Order COVID-19 GATHERINGS ORDER – YELLOWKNIFE, N’DILO, and DETTAH (effective October 6, 2021) has been amended to clarify that reasonable efforts should be made to minimize the number of childcare providers one has for childcare arrangements to limit exposure risks. This order remains in effect until October 17th at 11:59pm.
Persons may direct inquiries about public health orders to ProtectNWT at protectNWT@gov.nt.ca(link sends e-mail) 8-1-1 or 1-833-378-8297. Copies of all the current Public Health Orders can be found on our website.
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)
- GNWT Daily COVID-19 Symptom Check
- Travel Hotspots
- Delta Variant FAQs
- GNWT COVID-19 website
- Vaccination Bookings(link is external)
Media Contact
Richard Makohoniuk
Manager, COVID Communications
COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
richard_makohoniuk@gov.nt.ca(link sends e-mail)
IHT5
