COVID-19 present in Cambridge Bay
News Release
COVID-19 present in Cambridge Bay
Iqaluit, Nunavut (December 30, 2021) – Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), is announcing 20 new cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut, with cases now in Cambridge Bay. Currently there are 94 active cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut- 31 in Iqaluit, 28 in Rankin Inlet, 13 in Pangnirtung, 10 in Sanirajak, six in Arviat, two in Cambridge Bay, two in Qikiqtarjuaq, one in Igloolik and one in Baker Lake.
“This wave of COVID-19 is quickly spreading across Nunavut, Canada and the globe. We have seen how rapidly and easily it can be transmitted, and it is vital that we all work to limit this trend,” said Dr. Patterson. “Please stay home; don’t gather; wear a mask; get vaccinated. Only one person per household should go to the store – it is not a place to socialize. The seriousness of the Omicron variant and how it is overwhelming our health care system cannot be overstated.”
Strict public health measures are in place Nunavut-wide until at least January 17, and travel restrictions are now in place for Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Sanirajak, Igloolik and Arviat. Travel to and from those communities is restricted to essential purposes only, as well as residents returning to their home community or travelling to Southern Canada. Non-essential travel, especially between communities in Nunavut, is highly discouraged.
Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms – runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever or difficulty breathing – should 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. There are longer wait times to get through to the hotline, so please remain patient. Please do not go to the health centre in person.
COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Nunavummiut aged 5 and older. Boosters are available for anyone 18 years and older 4.5 months after their second dose. For those 12 to 17 years old, the booster is available six months after their second dose. Contact your health centre to make an appointment. For all the latest information and guidelines 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
@email