Whale Cove COVID-19 outbreak declared over
News Release
Whale Cove COVID-19 outbreak declared over
Iqaluit, Nunavut (February 4, 2021) – Today, Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, has declared that the outbreak of COVID-19 in Whale Cove is over. New public health measures will come into effect at 11:59 p.m. tonight.
“I would like to thank both the community and health care staff for their diligence and efforts to end the outbreak in Whale Cove,” said Dr. Patterson. “Although restrictions are being loosened in the community, no one should let their guard down. The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and I encourage all Nunavummiut to continue to follow public health measures to protect themselves and others.”
As of 11:59 p.m. tonight, indoor gatherings in Whale Cove will increase to a household plus 15 people, while outdoor gatherings will have a limit of 100 people. Community halls, conference spaces, government and Inuit organization facilities are all restricted to 50 people or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is less. Physical distancing must be maintained in public, and masks are strongly recommended.
Inuglak School is moving into Stage 2 as outlined in the Department of Education’s 2020-21 Opening Plan for Nunavut Schools. This means that elementary school students will attend school full-time, five days per week, and middle and high school students will attend school two to three days per week with a blend of in-school and remote learning.
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, including the numbers of recovered and active cases per community, 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 the latest information on Nunavut's COVID-19 vaccination plans, go to: https://gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-vaccination.
The 2020-21 Opening Plan for Nunavut Schools: Health and Safety is available at: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc….
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Media Contact:
Dana Sommerville
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email