COVID-19 GN Update - December 4, 2020
Premier’s update:
Good morning. Today, Nunavut has 8 new cases of COVID-19, all in Arviat.
Nunavut now has a total of 51 active cases of COVID-19. The total number of persons followed to date is 5122. There are 752 persons currently being followed. 155 Nunavummiut have now recovered from the virus.
We’re headed into our first weekend of eased restrictions in most of our communities. Again, I’m asking all Nunavummiut, especially in Arviat, to please maintain our current public health measures. Our case numbers are going down, but that does not mean we can relax our hard work against this virus.
We all know how hard it is, especially this time of year, to limit visiting and keep social circles and gatherings small, but this is necessary.
Necessary for our Elders and most vulnerable; necessary for our communities; and necessary for everyone who has done their part to keep you and I safe. Please be considerate of everyone. It’s up to each one of us.
Wash your hands often; keep strong physical distance and wear your mask when that’s not possible; stay home if you feel unwell; and don’t take unnecessary risks.
Let’s all stay well and safe, and make sure this holiday season is as safe as possible, for everyone.
Chief Public Health Officer Update:
Good morning. Over the past week, we have seen more people recovering from COVID-19. Currently, all the active cases we identified in Rankin Inlet and Sanikiluaq have recovered. This is good news. It means we are moving in the right direction and we can be optimistic. This does not mean that can relax on the public health measures and it does not mean the outbreaks are over.
In Sanikiluaq, we have cleared everyone from isolation. If there are no new cases in Sanikiluaq, the outbreak will be over in about 2 weeks. In Rankin Inlet, there are people who will be in isolation for at least another 10 days. It will take nearly a month, assuming there are no new cases of COVID-19, to declare the outbreak in Rankin Inlet over. Whale Cove has 7 active cases, with no new cases for several days.
In Arviat, there has been progress, but there continues to be evidence of community transmission. I know it has been difficult for Arviammiut and we thank everyone for their cooperation. It is very important that we continue to follow the public health measures so we can stop the spread of the virus in the community. I urge people to stay isolated if you have been told by public health to isolate. It is important to stay in isolation until public health staff tell you it is safe to leave.
Again, I know isolation can be stressful, and there is support available. The Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre has Inuit traditional counsellors available to Kivalliq residents from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday by calling 1-844-654-3580. You can also contact the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line at 1-867-979-3333 or Toll-free at 1-800-265-3333.
Thank you.
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
COVID-19 case status: Dec. 4
| Total confirmed cases | Total active cases | Total recovered cases | Total persons followed | Current persons followed |
| 206 | 51 | 155 | 5122 | 752 |
COVID-19 community case statistics: Dec. 4
| Community | Confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday | Confirmed COVID-19 cases today | Change in case count +/- from previous day | Recovered Cases | Total active cases |
| Arviat | 156 | 164 | 8 | 120 | 44 |
| Whale Cove | 21 | 21 | 0 | 14 | 7 |
| Rankin Inlet | 19 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Sanikiluaq | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 198 | 206 | 8 | 155 | 51 |
Testing stats to date per community: Dec. 4
| Community | Tests Positive | Tests Negative |
| Arviat | 164 | 678 |
| Whale Cove | 21 | 125 |
| Rankin Inlet | 19 | 226 |
| Sanikiluaq | 2 | 184 |
| TOTAL | 206 | 1213 |
Isolation population:
| Total (All Health Isolation Locations) | |
| Traveler Type | Guests in Isolation as of Dec. 3 |
| Medical | 294 |
| Public | 208 |
| Total | 502 |
Traveller repatriation summary:
| Departure Date | # of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites |
| 04-Dec | 46 |
| 05-Dec | 1 |
| 06-Dec | 4 |
| 07-Dec | 71 |
| 08-Dec | 22 |
| Total | 144 |
Critical Worker Requests:
As of Dec. 3 there were 9798 requests, 4584 of which were critical worker requests.
| Request Status | # | % |
| Approved (includes critical and non-critical) | 6475 | 66.1% |
| Denied | 281 | 2.9% |
| Pending | 324 | 3.3% |
| Common Travel Area | 2718 | 27.7% |
| Total | 9798 | 100% |
Department of Education Services
Ongoing services:
K-12 Schools
Arviat
To support remote learning in Arviat, the Department of Education is deploying Internet ready iPads for Grade 11 and 12 students and Grade 11 and 12 teachers. All iPads will have internet sticks to allow for online learning. These devices will be sent to Arviat on December 6, 2020.
Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)
Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) employees are continuing to provide services including:
- Processing funding applications;
- Travel requests;
- Issuing payments; and,
- Responding to inquiries.
All inquiries to FANS should be emailed to @email. Response times may be slower than normal.
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)
The FANS office building in Arviat is currently closed to the public until further notice.