Press Release
Department of Health Services, April 6, 2020
Public Health Officer statement:
Use of COVID-19 diagnostic equipment in Nunavut
As many are aware, Agnico Eagle Mine has brought COVID-19 diagnostic equipment to Rankin Inlet. This equipment will be used to test mine staff for COVID-19.
At this time there is no evidence that screening in this fashion is a substitute for 14 days of isolation. This is why Nunavut, and every other Canadian jurisdiction, is using 14 days of isolation after exposure or travel. As a result, I have informed management of Agnico Eagle Mines that these tests do not change the current requirement for mine staff to stay out of the town of Rankin Inlet.
The Department of Health is committed to improving and protecting the health of all Nunavummiut. For COVID-19 this means having testing equipment that meets Canadian standards and can be deployed to every community in Nunavut. The equipment used by AEM does not meet these criteria. If the Department of Health were to commit to using devices like this, we would not improve access to COVID testing for all Nunavummiut.
The Department of Health continues to work on acquiring diagnostic capability that can be rapidly deployed and will provide quick access to results for all Nunavummiut.
The combination of machines we continue to pursue will not only allow testing in all communities but will also improve our ability to rapidly diagnose a number of other infectious diseases that threaten Nunavummiut on a regular basis.
Testing for COVID-19 at the wrong time can produce incorrect results and create a false sense of reassurance.
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
The Public Health Emergency has been extended until April 16.
Isolation Sites
Those in isolation have access to cable, internet, three meals a day, fresh linens and cleaning supplies. Garbage is picked up daily. These costs are covered by the Government of Nunavut. The GN will pay for diapers, baby formula and feminine products. Guests are responsible to order these products through the provided delivery services, but they will not be charged for the items.
The welcome package has been updated to include information on grocery orders and take out. Both can be delivered to the hotel. These deliveries and related costs are not covered by the GN.
TOTAL (ALL ISOLATION LOCATIONS) | |
Traveler Type | Guests In Isolation as of April 4 |
Medical | 235 |
Public | 113 |
Students | 60 |
Total | 408 |
Requests for travel
As of April 5, there are 408 requests, 313 of which are critical worker requests.
Request Status | # | % |
Approved (includes critical and non-critical) | 305 | 74.8% |
Denied | 44 | 10.7% |
Pending | 59 | 14.5% |
Total | 408 | 100% |
Ongoing services:
Access to health care services will remain available in all communities seven days a week. All non-urgent requests will be triaged daily. Immediate access to urgent and emergent health care services are and will continue to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All clients are asked to call before presenting at a health facility.
In Iqaluit, public health, the emergency room and inpatient unit will remain open.
Well baby clinics, prenatal visits and immunizations are continuing across Nunavut.
Physicians will continue community visits. If this is not possible, the visits will be conducted by telehealth or by phone.
Adjusted services:
Appointments at health facilities are being triaged, which means the appointment may be over the phone or in person.
Medical travel services have been reduced to urgent medical travel only. Clients will be advised of these changes and involved in discussions.
In Iqaluit, outpatient clinics and rehab are triaging all appointments and conducting appointments. Lab and Diagnostic Imaging services at QGH are on reduced services. All upcoming appointments are being triaged.
Mental Health and Addictions has moved to telephone check-in and support for some clients. Scheduled appointments for medication pick-up and administration remain the same. If you are in crisis, present to the health centre. Home visits to administer medications will be treated on a case-by-case basis.
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Only emergency dental services will be provided until further notice.
Speciality clinics have been cancelled. Work is underway to determine which clients can be seen by phone/virtual care.
All non-essential travel for mental health clients and families is cancelled. All non-essential travel for families visiting clients in care is cancelled.
No visitors will be allowed at long-term care facilities in Nunavut – Continuing Care Centres (CCCs) and Elders’ Homes.
Department of Health Services, April 3, 2020
The Public Health Emergency has been extended until April 16, 2020.
Only emergency dental services will be provided in all Nunavut communities until further notice.
If you live in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, or Cambridge Bay and are experiencing a severe dental pain or infection, you can contact the dental clinics listed below to report your problem. If your call is not answered, please follow the instructions provided in the message.
Please do not visit the dental clinic if you have not been given a pre-arranged appointment time. People showing up at these clinics without a pre-arranged appointment time will not be seen.
We ask that you arrive to your appointment on time, as we may be unable to accommodate late arrivals.
For those not living in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet or Cambridge Bay who are experiencing severe dental pain or infection, please call your local health centre.
Isolation Sites
Those in isolation have access to cable, internet, three meals a day, fresh linens and cleaning supplies. Garbage is picked up daily. These costs are covered by the Government of Nunavut.
The GN will pay for diapers, baby formula and feminine products. Guests are responsible to order these products through the provided delivery services, but they will not be charged for the items.
The welcome package has been updated to include information on grocery orders and take out. Both can be delivered to the hotel. These deliveries and related costs are not covered by the GN.
TOTAL (ALL ISOLATION LOCATIONS) | |
Traveler Type | Guests In Isolation as of April 2 |
Medical | 215 |
Public | 96 |
Students | 60 |
Total | 371 |
Volumes
As of April 2 (a.m.) there are 385 travel requests, 288 of which are critical worker requests.
Request Status | # | % |
Approved (includes critical and non-critical) | 267 | 69.4% |
Denied | 35 | 9.1% |
Pending | 83 | 21.5% |
Total | 385 | 100% |
Department of Health Services, April 2, 2020
The Public Health Emergency has been extended until April 16, 2020.
Only emergency dental services will be provided in all Nunavut communities until further notice.
If you live in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, or Cambridge Bay and are experiencing a severe dental pain or infection, you can contact the dental clinics listed below to report your problem. If your call is not answered, please follow the instructions provided in the message.
Please do not visit the dental clinic if you have not been given a pre-arranged appointment time. People showing up at these clinics without a pre-arranged appointment time will not be seen.
We ask that you arrive to your appointment on time, as we may be unable to accommodate late arrivals.
For those not living in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet or Cambridge Bay who are experiencing severe dental pain or infection, please call your local health centre.
Isolation Sites
Those in isolation have access to cable, internet, three meals a day, fresh linens and cleaning supplies. Garbage is picked up daily. These costs are covered by the Government of Nunavut.
The GN will pay for diapers, baby formula and feminine products. Guests are responsible to order these products through the provided delivery services, but they will not be charged for the items.
The welcome package has been updated to include information on grocery orders and take out. Both can be delivered to the hotel. These deliveries and related costs are not covered by the GN.
TOTAL (ALL ISOLATION LOCATIONS) | |
Traveler Type | Guests In Isolation as of April 1 |
Medical | 199 |
Public | 86 |
Students | 60 |
Total | 345 |
Total number of people in isolation as of March 31: 315 – 178 are medical travellers, 78 are resident travellers and 59 are students.Volumes
As of April 2 (a.m.) there are 360 travel requests, 286 of which are critical worker requests.
Request Status | # | % |
Approved (includes critical and non-critical) | 247 | 68.6% |
Denied | 34 | 9.4% |
Pending | 79 | 21.0% |
Total | 360 | 100% |
Ongoing services:
Access to health care services will remain available in all communities seven days a week. All non-urgent requests will be triaged daily. Immediate access to urgent and emergent health care services are and will continue to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All clients are asked to call before presenting at a health facility.
Adjusted services:
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Department of Health Services, April 1, 2020
No visitors will be allowed at long term care facilities in Nunavut – Continuing Care Centres (CCCs) and Elders’ Homes.
All travellers are required to isolate at designated facilities outside of Nunavut for a period of 14 days, except for critical employees who are asymptomatic.
Individuals who are going to isolate are reminded not to show up the hotel until they have received confirmation from Health staff on their bookings.
Those returning to Nunavut require approval from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer and are asked to email [email protected].
If you are required to isolate, Health staff will be in touch with you. Toll free number for anyone that has recently travelled or has COVID-19 symptoms 1-888-975-8601 is being answered from 7:30-7:30.
The CPHO orders and the travel/critical worker protocol are posted: https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
Isolation
Department of Health Services, March 31, 2020
Current numbers of Nunavut residents in isolation locations southern Canada
315 people are currently in isolation locations in southern Canada. 178 are Nunavummiut on medical travel, 78 are Nunavummiut returning to the territory and 59 are Nunavut students.
Department of Health Services, March 30, 2020
All individuals identified as persons under investigation for COVID-19 (PUIs), are subject to a mandatory isolation order and will be fined should the mandatory isolation be broken. Fines can go up to $50,000 or up to six months in jail.
The CPHO travel orders and the travel/critical worker protocol can be found on: https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
All travellers will be required to isolate at designated facilities outside of Nunavut for a period of 14 days, except for critical employees who are asymptomatic.
Those returning to Nunavut will require approval from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer and are asked to email [email protected].
Nunavummiut returning to Nunavut by way of land travel to Sanikiluaq, Arviat, and the Kitikmeot region are required to self-isolate at home for 14 days once they return to the territory.
Toll-free number for anyone who has recently travelled or has COVID-19 symptoms: 1-888-975-8601 is being answered from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Individuals who are self-isolating are required to stay at home, avoid contact with other people, and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after returning.
Department of Health Services, March 27, 2020
The CPHO travel orders and the travel/critical worker protocol have now been posted to: https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
All travellers will be required to isolate at designated facilities outside of Nunavut for a period of 14 days, except for critical employees who are asymptomatic.
Those returning to Nunavut will require approval from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer and are asked to email [email protected].
Nunavummiut returning to Nunavut by way of land travel to Sanikiluaq, Arviat, and the Kitikmeot region, are required to self-isolate at home for 14 days once they return to the territory.
Toll free number for anyone that has recently travelled or has COVID-19 symptoms:
1-888-975-8601 is being answered from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Individuals who are self-isolating are required to stay at home, avoid contact with other people, and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after returning.
Department of Health Services, March 26, 2020
The CPHO travel orders and the travel/critical worker protocol have now been posted to: https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
All travellers will be required to isolate at designated facilities outside of Nunavut for a period of 14 days, except for critical employees who are asymptomatic.
Those returning to Nunavut will require approval from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer and are asked to email [email protected].
Toll free number for anyone that has recently travelled or has COVID-19 symptoms: 1-888-975-8601 is being answered from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Ongoing services:
Adjusted services:
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Department of Health Services, March 25, 2020
Ongoing services:
Adjusted services:
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Department of Health Services, March 24, 2020
Effective March 25, 2020, all travellers will be required to self-isolate at designated facilities outside of Nunavut for a period of 14 days, except for critical employees who are asymptomatic. Those returning to Nunavut will require approval from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer.
Information on Residents and Critical Workers Travel
Nunavummiut who want to return to Nunavut during the travel ban must enter a mandatory 14-day isolation period at one of four locations in southern Canada. Please contact [email protected] for direction.
Critical employees who must return to work in Nunavut during the travel ban must apply for an exemption approved by the Chief Public Health Officer. For information on the process, please contact [email protected] for direction.
Need to talk to someone if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or have recently travelled to or from an affected area? Please call 975-8601 or 1-888-975-8601 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.to speak with someone. Please remember this line is for those who need it – and should not be used for general inquiries!
The information on the toll free number, the CPHO orders and the travel/critical worker protocol has now been posted to: https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
Nunavummiut must call first before going to Qikiqtani General Hospital, Iqaluit Public Health or any Nunavut Health Centre. Find phone numbers for all health facilities at https://gov.nu.ca/health/information/health-centres
Ongoing services:
Adjusted services:
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Department of Health Services, March 23, 2020
Ongoing services:
Adjusted services:
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Department of Health Services Update – March 20, 2020
MHA has moved to telephone check-in and support for some clients. Scheduled appointments for medication pick up and administration remain the same. If you are in crisis, present to the health centre.
Ongoing services:
Adjusted services:
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Department of Health Services update – March 19, 2020
A Public Health Emergency has been declared.
Health is instituting a screening process for all medical travel clients before receiving clearance to travel home.
Community members are asked to avoid attending health centres and the hospital whenever possible to avoid risk of transmission of viral illness.
Ongoing services:
Adjusted services:
Closed/Cancelled/Suspended services:
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