Ten new cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut
News Release
Ten new cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut
Iqaluit, Nunavut (November 15, 2020) – As of today, Nunavut has a total of 18 positive cases of COVID-19. Nine new cases have been identified in Arviat, bringing the community’s number of positive cases to 14. One additional case was also confirmed in Rankin Inlet, bringing the community’s positive number of cases to two. The new Rankin Inlet case has been linked to Arviat.
“Due to the number cases of COVID-19 in Arviat, anyone from Arviat who left the community on or after November 2 is being asked to immediately isolate for 14 days wherever they are,” said Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer. “In addition, to protect Elders in Arviat, there will be no visitors allowed at the Elders’ centre for at least two weeks. Exemptions to this rule will need to be approved by the public health doctor on call.”
All individuals are in isolation and doing well. Rapid Response Teams are on the ground in all three impacted communities, with support from regional and territorial public health teams. At this time, there are signs of community transmission in Arviat, but not in Rankin Inlet or Sanikiluaq. Community transmission is more likely to occur when there are no clear links that trace how somebody became infected.
Contact tracing in Rankin Inlet, Sanikiluaq and Arviat continues, with the end goal to trace and contain the virus.
It is important that Nunavummiut, strictly follow the current public health measures in place– limit your contacts, wash your hands, keep physical distance whenever possible, do not go visiting and stay home if you feel sick. Individual actions will impact everyone’s health.
Anyone who has reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 is advised to call the COVID-hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST, or notify their community health centre right away, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days. Please do not go to the health centre in person.
For all the latest information and resources about COVID-19 in Nunavut, go to: https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
An update will be provided at a press conference at 11 a.m., Monday, November 16.
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Media Contacts
Cate Macleod
Press Secretary to Premier Savikataaq
867-975-5059
@email
Chris Puglia
A/Manager Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email