NU Government: Lab catches up on reported COVID-19 case counts

Press Release

Iqaluit, Nunavut (January 17, 2022) –Over the weekend, lab services in Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit caught up on public reporting COVID-19 case data. As a result, the Government of Nunavut is reporting 125 new cases, 117 new recoveries and a total of 151 active cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut.

“The new case counts reflect clearing the previous backlog in public reporting,” said
Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer. “Although this represents a change in the territorial reporting, staff in communities continued to provide appropriate care to all individuals involved.”

Of the confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut there are 32 in Arviat, 25 in Baker Lake, four in Cambridge Bay, one in Chesterfield Inlet, 12 in Coral Harbour, eight in Iqaluit, two in Gjoa Haven, 21 in Kinngait, two in Kugaaruk, five in Naujaat, two in Pangnirtung, one in Pond Inlet, zero in Qikiqtarjuaq, 17 in Rankin Inlet, two in Sanirajak, 11 in Sanikiluaq, three in Taloyoak, and three in Whale Cove.

We have 117 new reported recoveries today. There have been 370 total reported recoveries in this outbreak. After today, recoveries will be announced on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

Please note, fluctuations in cases are to be expected as new daily totals can represent accuracy of counts cleared, removing double counts, and false positives.

Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Dr. Patterson will hold a live COVID-19 update at 11 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, January 18. Tune in on the Legislative Assembly TV channel, at http://video.isilive.ca/nunavut/ or on radio in Iqaluit at 92.5FM.

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms is advised to call the COVID hotline at
1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EDT or notify their community health centre right away by telephone. Please do not go to the health centre in person.

COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Nunavummiut aged 5 and older and boosters are available for anyone 12 years and older. Contact your health centre to make an appointment. For all the latest information on COVID-19 in Nunavut, go to: https://www.gov.nu.ca/

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Media Contact:

Chris Puglia
A/Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
cpuglia@gov.nu.ca

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