Wastewater signal detects COVID-19 in Behchokǫ̀

Press Release

YELLOWKNIFE August 23, 2021 – The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) is reporting a detection of the virus causing COVID-19 in the wastewater from Behchokǫ̀.

The signal was detected today. The sample shows a level of virus that suggests individual(s) with COVID-19 was/were in Behchokǫ̀ between August 20 to 23 inclusive.

This signal is unexpected, meaning the OCPHO is unaware of anyone with COVID-19 in the community.

The OCPHO recommends the following public health actions as it continues to monitor the situation:

Isolate immediately and arrange for testing (call the health centre before arriving).

Arrange for testing (call the health centre before arriving).

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 in Behchokǫ̀

Anyone who visited any region of NWT with COVID-19 activity between Aug. 10-23, and who was in Behchokǫ̀ between Aug. 20-23

Anyone in Behchoko who was present at recent exposure notifications or identified as contacts to COVID-19. See link to exposures: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/services/public-exposure-notifications

Currently everyone living or staying in Behchokǫ̀ is advised to:

Wear a mask in all indoor public settings.
Get vaccinated if you are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine.
Limit indoor gatherings. It is safest to gather indoors only with your own household until further notice. If you must gather, do it outdoors.
Stay home if you are sick.

Attribution

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

Relevant links

Media Contact

Dawn Ostrem

Manager, COVID Communications

COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat

Department of Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories

[email protected](link sends e-mail)

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