COVID-19 GN Update - April 30, 2021

Premier’s update:

Today, we are reporting 11 new cases and five recoveries of COVID-19, all in Iqaluit. There are 67 active cases in the territory - 61 in Iqaluit, four in Kinngait and two in Rankin Inlet. There have been 39 recoveries to date in this outbreak.

To date, 15,856 Nunavummiut have received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, and 12,395 Nunavummiut are now fully vaccinated.

A few important things today – we have confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Baffin Correctional Centre and Makigiarvik. These inmates are isolated and other inmates in custody are being kept separately. All staff are taking appropriate measures and precautions and have strict processes and protocols in place. All inmates and staff are being tested to determine if there is any additional spread.

We also have identified cases at the boarding home here in Iqaluit. All guests and staff at Tammaativvik are being tested to determine possible spread. Some individuals have been placed in isolation at a different location.

Dr. Patterson will have more details on these situations in his update.

To end on a more positive note, and as I briefly mentioned on Wednesday, the Government of Nunavut is doing a third round of the COVID-specific Small Business Support Program. Small Nunavut businesses can now access another round of contributions up to $5,000. For more information and the application, please go to gov.nu.ca/sbsp. This is open now and I encourage Nunavummiut small business owners to apply. We’re here to help and support you. 

This weekend, and until this outbreak is over, continue to follow all the public health measures. I’m shocked by how many people around Iqaluit aren’t wearing masks. Come on, guys.

You know what to do: Mask up anytime you’re outside your household. Wash your hands often. Keep strong physical distance from others when you’re outside. Stay home. Get vaccinated.

We know Moderna is effective against this variant of COVID, so make your appointment and protect yourself.     

Minister of Health Update:

Good morning. I won’t take too long today, but I do hope people will take what I’m about to say very seriously.

As we catch up to the spread of COVID in Iqaluit, I need everybody to do their part to ensure they aren’t adding to this outbreak.

Stay home. Don’t go visiting. Don’t have visitors over. Don’t socialize outside your household. You should not, under any circumstance, go to or host a party. Do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary. If you need to go out to get groceries, go alone. Any other errands, go alone. Do not leave your house without a mask. And wear it in all public spaces.

The B.1.1.7 COVID variant is more transmissible than the original strain. Please do not take chances with the health of those around you. Get you vaccine, follow the current measures and don’t take chances. It’s that easy. We’re all in this together, and we can only get out of this together too.

This is about public health. Again, stay home and get vaccinated. It’s pretty much that simple. If everyone doesn’t do their part, we could be in this same situation for months, and lose our summer.

Please keep in mind that we cannot vaccinate our children, and we need to protect them. Think about that and act responsibly. Have a safe and responsible weekend.

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good Morning.

Earlier this week, we announced that the B.1.1.7 variant has been detected and appears to be the only strain of COVID-19 in Nunavut. As this variant of concern spreads more easily, to limit transmission, we are announcing the following changes to the rules for those granted exemptions. Everyone living in a household of someone who is isolating, including exempted critical workers, anyone who has travelled out of Iqaluit to their home community or those under an isolation order for exposure to COVID-19, will be required to isolate. If you are an essential worker you will be required to follow the same rules as an exempted worker. This means you are only permitted to go to work and then home; wear a mask at all times outside where you are staying; if you cannot find someone to deliver groceries, you can shop once per week during the 14-day period of isolation. If you are not an essential worker, you are required to stay isolated at home. These orders will come into effect Monday, May 3rd.

Through contact tracing, a positive case of COVID-19 has been identified in a staff member at Iqaluit’s Tammaativvik Boarding Home. All residents who were at the boarding home during the exposure period are being notified and tested for the virus. All in-territory medical travel flights departing from Iqaluit were cancelled yesterday to allow us to trace and test all high-risk contacts.

On Tuesday, an inmate was transferred to the Baffin Correctional. As per Correction protocols, the inmate was isolated from the general population and tested. That test came back positive. Additionally, yesterday, three more unrelated cases of COVID-19 infection were identified in inmates. All positive cases are isolating at the Baffin Correctional Centre. The correctional facility took immediate action to have all residents swabbed for COVID-19 and separated into a cohorting system to ensure physical distancing is maintained and to limit transmission.

Also, yesterday, an Iqaluit resident was medivac’d to a southern hospital after developing complications due to COVID-19 infection. The person has been hospitalized and is in stable condition. Out of respect for the individual and their family, we will not be releasing additional information at this time.

The past few days have demonstrated how quickly the situation can change. Our public health teams are working around the clock to track and contain the virus. It is extremely important that everyone follows the public health measures. Wear a mask. Do not gather. Do not visit other homes. If you are sick, stay home. If you have symptoms or are a contact of someone who is COVID-19 positive, call the hotline.

These measures will help contain the virus and keep everyone safe.

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

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

For the latest information on current public health restrictions, go to:  https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/nunavuts-path

For information on upcoming vaccine clinics go to: https://gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-vaccination

COVID-19 case status: April 30

* Confirmed cases include those meeting the national case definitions. Persons followed includes individuals with specific symptoms and exposures as well as others who are self-monitoring or self-isolated. Not all of these individuals have symptoms or require testing.

*There may be a delay reporting attribution and statistics from cases acquired in Southern Canada. 12 cases that were detected out of territory have been attributed to Nunavut. This includes 3 deaths. Not all NU residents with COVID-19 detected out of territory will be attributed to Nunavut.

COVID-19 community case statistics: April 30

COVID-19 vaccination status: April 30

*Total vaccine administered is updated as regularly as possible but might be lower than actual count.

Testing stats to date: April 29

Isolation population: 

Traveller repatriation summary:

Critical Worker Requests:

As of April 30, there were 15,747 requests, 7,846 of which were critical worker requests.

Department of Education Services

Ongoing services:

K-12 Schools

The following stages continue to be in effect:

• Stage 4 – Schools in Kinngait and Iqaluit
• Stage 3 – Schools in the Qikiqtani region, except Sanikiluaq, Kinngait, and Iqaluit
• Stage 2 – Schools in Rankin Inlet
• Stage 1 – Schools in Sanikiluaq, the Kitikmeot region, and Kivalliq region, except for Rankin Inlet

Schools will implement the appropriate action plan for their current stage.                                                                                                                   

Early Learning and Child Care

All Nunavut childcare facilities can remain open, with the exception of Kinngait and Iqaluit.

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)

Students booking their FANS-eligible travel must follow the public health measures and recommendations of the CPHO.

If students have questions about their travel, they can contact the FANS office for information at @email.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

K-12 Schools

Kinngait and Iqaluit schools are closed for in-school instruction until further notice.

• In Stage 4, all instruction will be conducted remotely. All schools are closed to students, staff, and the public. School staff will regularly communicate with all students.

Early Learning and Child Care

Kinngait and Iqaluit childcare facilities are closed until further notice.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.