GNT: Daily Update – September 13, 2021
Press Release
YELLOWKNIFE September 13, 2021 – The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) updated and extended the September 9, 2021 Gathering Limitations Public Health Order this afternoon to temporarily close schools in Dettah, N’Dilo and Yellowknife through to 11:59PM Friday, September 24, 2021. An additional order went into effect this afternoon clearly outlining isolation requirements for persons who test positive for COVID-19.
If you are traveling internally within the NWT from an area with community transmission (Yellowknife, Behchokǫ̀, and Whatì) to another community it is recommended that you complete Day 1 and Day 8 testing at your destination. Please contact the health centre of the community you are arriving into, prior to leaving, to arrange testing. Click here for information on how to arrange testing.
The OCPHO is announcing 59 new cases of COVID-19 in the NWT since September 10th. The total number of recent cases has increased to 523. There are 175 active cases among residents in the territory plus four active out of territory cases and, one previous death. A total of 344 cases have resolved – 338 NWT residents and six out of territory cases.
Community Breakdown
| Region | Community | Total Active Case Count | Recovered Case Count (Deaths) | Total Case Count |
| Sahtu | Fort Good Hope | 8 | 105 (1) | 114 |
| Colville Lake | 0 | 79 | 79 | |
| Deline | 0 | 18 | 18 | |
| Norman Wells | 5 | 49 | 54 | |
| Tulita | 5 | 4 | 9 | |
| Beaufort Delta | Inuvik | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Fort Smith | Fort Smith | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Tlicho | Gameti | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Behchokǫ̀ | 22 | 0 | 22 | |
| Whati | 14 | 0 | 14 | |
| South Slave | Hay River & K’atl’odeeche First Nation | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Yellowknife/North Slave | Yellowknife | 117 | 74 | 191 |
| Łutsel Kʼe | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Dehcho | Fort Providence | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Fort Simpson | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Fort Liard | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 178 | 344 (1) | 523 | |
Cumulative Hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic is 19, of which 16 are associated with the current territorial COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak. Cumulative ICU admissions have been 7.
Check the NWT COVID-19 Dashboard(link is external) for further details about percentage of unvaccinated cases and Variant of Concern updates.
New Public Health Exposure Locations for Sept 8, 2021
Communities that are currently experiencing community transmission: Yellowknife and Behchokǫ̀, and Whatì.
- Any public place could result in an exposure to COVID-19. The OCPHO will not provide routine public exposure notifications in Yellowknife but will list high risk public exposures requiring further action.
- OCPHO will continue to list public exposures in communities without known community transmission.
Visit our website for a full list of all CURRENT public exposure notifications.
Public Health Orders
NWT Wide Order
A NWT wide masking order went into effect on August 26th that applies to all indoor public spaces. Visit our website for a visual explanation of the order.
If you are required to self-isolate for any reason you should not leave your house to vote on Election Day so please consider requesting a mail in ballot in order to cast your vote.
The Public Health Order limiting gatherings will be in place during the Federal Election in Dettah, N’Dilo and Yellowknife. There are options available to voters that wish to avoid longer than usual line ups or crowds of people.
Voters may also request a mail in ballot. The deadline to request a ballot is TOMORROW September 14 and all votes must be returned by September 20 to be counted in the election.
For more information including contact information for questions please visit www.elections.ca(link is external).
Behchokǫ̀
On September 9th the OCPHO implemented a 14-day containment order for the community of Behchokǫ̀. All indoor and outdoor gatherings are restricted, non-essential workers must work from home, schools are closed and learning is moved online among other restrictions. This order is in effect until 11:59PM on September 23, 2021. Visit our website to view details of the order.
The CPHO recommends against non-essential travel to and from Behchokǫ̀ at this time to protect against transmission to other communities.
Dettah, N’Dilo and Yellowknife
The Public Health Order on gathering restrictions was amended today to temporarily close schools to in-person learning through to 11:59PM on September 24. Click to read details of the order on our website.
The CPHO advises against non-essential travel to and from Dettah, N’Dilo and Yellowknife at this time to protect against transmission to other communities.
The CPHO recommends that where possible businesses accommodate work from home arrangements for their employees for the duration of the amended September 9, 2021 order restricting gatherings.
The COVID Secretariat is opening an additional isolation centre, outside of the downtown core, at the Yellowknife Ski Club for individuals required to self-isolate that are in need of additional supports.
Isolation Order
On September 13th the OCPHO issued a COVID-19 Order for Yellowknife, Ndilo, and Dettah that is effective from September 13, 2021 at 5:00pm and remains in effect for the duration of the Public Health Emergency. This order clearly outlines the isolation requirements for individuals in Yellowknife, Ndilo and Dettah who test positive for COVID-19. If an individual receives a positive test result they must immediately isolate themselves from others, for 10 days beginning when they receive the test result. Click here to find details and a copy of the order on our website.
Any person who has any questions about this order can contact Protect NWT at [email protected](link sends e-mail) or 1-833-378-8297 and can obtain a copy of this Order from Protect NWT or from https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19.
Norman Wells
The local containment order will expire at 11:59PM on September 14, 2021 and will not be renewed at this time.
Residents that are isolating due to a COVID-19 infection must continue to do so until they are declared recovered by a health professional. Residents that are self-isolating as a contact of a COVID-19 case must complete their 10-day self-isolation period.
Click to review the Public Health Order.
Health Service Updates
Temporary Day Shelter Closure in Yellowknife
Due to staff shortages the day shelter service that operates in the combined Day and Sobering Centre will be closed temporarily for a yet to be determined period of time.
Additional information about the closure is available on our website.(link is external)
Additional Recommendations/Advice
Cases continue to occur due to importation from southern parts of Canada. If you travelled or are planning to travel outside of the NWT and have returned home please keep in mind that there are self-isolation requirements for any unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers that return to the NWT. Visit our website to review the types of isolation and what the requirements are for the various types.
If you have traveled outside of the NWT and are returning to a small community there are additional requirements depending on your level of vaccination. Fully vaccinated travels are required to be tested on day 1 of your arrival into a small community and on day 8. Visit our website to read more about the testing and isolation requirements for travel from outside of the NWT into smaller communities.
Non-essential travel is any travel that is not urgent or emergent in nature that can be postponed without causing difficulties to an individual. If you require necessities from the grocery store, or have a medical or professional appointment that would be considered essential travels. If you have a business meeting that could be done remotely, or want to have a hang out with a friend or can postpone your trip until after the Public Health Orders have expired than it is considered non-essential travel and the recommendation is to avoid it at this time.
Assisting northerners manage their mental health is important as we continue to respond to 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.
Residents who unable to access support with non-healthcare related needs throughout their self-isolation period can reach out to their community government for assistance.
Regional EMOs are working with community governments to address needs as they arise.
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
- GWNT 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
[email protected](link sends e-mail)
IHT5
