GNT: Daily Update – September 15, 2021

Press Release

YELLOWKNIFE September 15, 2021 – The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has declared an outbreak at the NWT Power Corp (NTPC) Snare Hydro System worksite after two people developed COVID-19 since September 11, 2021 including one person who acquired COVID-19 on site. An outbreak in a closed facility in the NWT is declared when one or more confirmed or probable case(s) of COVID-19 is acquired within the facility. The investigation determined there is no COVID-19 exposure in NWT communities from this outbreak.

Public Health officials are working with the NTPC to ensure the two positive cases and associated contacts continue to safely isolate. NTPC will test all employees at the work site, and continue to work with Public Health officials to mitigate additional risk of further transmission.

COVID activity in other NWT closed worksites in September 2021 is as follows:

Ekati mine -Two separate introductions, both resolved
Gahcho Kue mine – One introduction, active
Diavik mine – One introduction, active
Imperial Oil – Norman Wells – One introduction, resolved

All these introductions involved out of territory workers with no documented transmission thus far.

The OCPHO is announcing 16 new cases of COVID-19 in the NWT since September 14. The total number of recent cases has increased to 572. There are 195 active cases among residents in the territory plus four active out-of-territory cases and, and one previous death. A total of 372 cases have resolved – 365 NWT residents and seven out-of-territory cases.

Community Breakdown

Region	Community	Total Active Case Count	Recovered Case Count (Deaths)	Total Case Count
Sahtu	Fort Good Hope	5	108 (1)	114
	Colville Lake	0	79	79
	Deline	0	18	18
	Norman Wells	3	51	54
	Tulita	0	9	9
Beaufort Delta	Inuvik	1	2	3
Fort Smith	Fort Smith	0	1	1
Tlicho	Gameti	0	3	3
Tlicho	Behchokǫ̀	30	0	30
	Whati	23	0	23
South Slave	Hay River & K’atl’odeeche First Nation	2	4	6
Yellowknife/North Slave	Yellowknife	128	93	221
	Fort Resolution	1	0	1
	Łutsel Kʼe	3	0	3
Dehcho	Fort Providence	2	2	4
	Fort Simpson	0	2	2
	Fort Liard	1	0	1
TOTAL		199	372 (1)	572

The cumulative number of hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic is 22, of which 18 are associated with the current territorial COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak. Cumulative ICU admissions have been 7.

Check the NWT COVID-19 Dashboard for further details about percentage of unvaccinated cases and Variant of Concern updates.(link is external)

New Public Health Exposure Locations for Sept 15, 2021

Communities that are currently experiencing community transmission: Yellowknife, 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.

The CPHO advises against non-essential travel to and from Behchokǫ̀, Dettah, N’Dilo, Whatì and Yellowknife at this time to protect against transmission to other communities.

Visit our website for a full list of all CURRENT public exposure notifications.

Click here to view ALL current Public Health Orders

Health Service Updates

COVID-19 Testing in Acute Care
NTHSSA is now offering a COVID-19 test to all patients when they are admitted to the hospital or before certain procedures. Visit the newsroom to learn more about this testing being offered.(link is external)

NTHSSA continues to announce service level updates in this challenging situation. For the most up to date information please visit the NTHSSA 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 are travelling 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 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.

Attribution

All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.

Relevant links