NU Government: COVID-19 Department of Health Services update

Press Release

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.

• If you are investigation for COVID-19 and experiencing symptoms, you could be fined if you leave your home. Ask your neighbours/family/friends to leave groceries at your doorstep.
• Immediate access to urgent and emergent health care services continues. All non-urgent requests will be triaged daily.
• 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
• As of today, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in the territory.
• Only residents and critical workers are allowed into Nunavut.
• No mass gatherings are permitted.
• Physicians will continue community visits.
• Visitation in all health facilities is limited to reduce the risk of transmission of illness.
• Mental health supports are available.

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 CPHOTravelRequests@gov.nu.ca.

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 CPHOTravelRequests@gov.nu.ca.

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 CPHOTravelRequests@gov.nu.ca.

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:

• Access to health care services will remain available in all communities 7 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, this 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:

• 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.

Department of Health Services, March 25, 2020

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; this 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.
• 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.
• Home visits to administer medications will be treated on a case-by-case basis.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

• All non-emergent Obstetrics comprehensive ultrasounds (all regions) are temporarily postponed. All pending appointments are being assessed by Chief of Obstetrics.
• The Wednesday evening clinics at QGH have been suspended until further notice

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 CPHOTravelRequests@gov.nu.ca  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 CPHOTravelRequests@gov.nu.ca  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:

• 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.
• Access to health care services will remain available in all communities 7 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• Home visits to administer medications will be treated on a case by case basis.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

• The Wednesday evening clinics at QGH have been suspended until further notice
• Speciality clinics have been cancelled. Work is underway to determine which clients can be seen by phone/virtual care.
• Qikiqtani General Hospital cafeteria is closed to the public.
• All non-essential travel for mental health clients and families are cancelled.
• All non-essential travel for families visiting clients in care is cancelled.

Department of Health Services, March 23, 2020

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• Home visits to administer medications will be treated on a case-by-case basis.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

• 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 are cancelled. All non-essential travel for families visiting clients in care is cancelled

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:

• Access to health care services will remain available in all communities 7 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 the inpatient unit will all 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• Home visits to administer medications will be treated on a case by case basis.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

• 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 are cancelled.
• All non-essential travel for families visiting clients in care is cancelled.

Department of Health Services update – March 19, 2020

A Public Health Emergency has been declared.

• All Health essential services to continue.
• All Health staff are essential and will be re-deployed as necessary.

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:

• Immediate access to urgent and emergent health care services continues territory-wide.
• Emergency dental treatment remains available in Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit. Travel, if approved, will be to the nearest appropriate facility from the client’s place of residence.
• Mental Health Services remain available and unchanged in communities.
• Mental Health Nurse services at Qikiqtani General Hospital remain available and unchanged.
• The Mental Health Program will be hosting community radio shows across the territory where possible
• The Youth Wellness team is offering phone-based counselling support:
  • Current clients and others who need support may call 867-979-7661.
  • For new referrals, please contact Susan Mazur at 867-975-5999.
• Physicians will continue community visits. If this is not possible, the visits will be conducted by telehealth. Visiting physicians will undergo screening.
• In Iqaluit, Public Health remains open.
• Well baby clinics, prenatal visits and immunizations are continuing across Nunavut.
• Mental Health services remain the same in communities.
• Options are being pursued for additional crisis debriefing and counselling support via telephone and telehealth.
• The office of patient relations can be contacted at the usual email address: patientrelations@gov.nu.ca.
• Boarding homes have enhanced their cleaning protocols.

Adjusted services:

• Direct patient relations phone service is currently unavailable, but a solution is being developed.
• In Iqaluit; mental health counselling will be completed by phone (via central intake phone line: 867-975-5999).
• At Qikiqtani General Hospital: For non-emergency situations please call first before coming to the hospital. Clinical sessions will be completed over the phone where possible.
• Health is limiting visitations to Qikiqtani General Hospital and community health centres.
• At Qikiqtani General Hospital: visitors are restricted to one visitor per patient (preference given to parents and escorts).
• Rehab appointments are being assessed, and some may be postponed.
• Youth wellness team is available only to meet with youth on a 1:1 basis by appointment
• All non-urgent requests will be triaged daily.
• Outpatients are redirected at Akausisarvik so they do not mix with the residents.
• Youth workers are not having drop-in hours or any group activities but are still available to see youth 1:1 if necessary.
• All Continuing Care Centres have been instructed to restrict visitation where possible – and for those coming into the facility be screened before entering.
• Qikiqtani General Hospital and Health Centres have limited visitation. One visitor per patient.

Closed/Cancelled/Suspended services:

• Cafeteria access at Qikiqtani General Hospital is restricted.
• All regularly scheduled dental services are cancelled until further notice.
• At Community Health Centres: visitation to Health Care Facilities has stopped.
• All non-essential medical travel outside of the territory, has been postponed:
  • Appointments that are postponed will be either rescheduled to a later date, moved to telehealth, or will be completed in-territory.
  • Health is working with referring specialists to prioritize essential medical travel.
  • All medical travel clients will be screened for possible COVID-19 illness prior to receiving clearance to travel home.
  • Travellers unable to return home immediately will remain on medical travel status – they will be provided support for meals, accommodation, transportation and case management.
  • If required, isolation will be supported via private rooms at boarding homes or hotels.
• All in-person training courses facilitated by the Quality of Life Secretariat scheduled for March and April are cancelled.
• In-territory specialty clinics are cancelled.
• Youth Wellness Team drop-in counselling sessions, afterschool programs, outreach, and camps scheduled for March and April are cancelled.

IHT5