COVID-19 GN Update - May 19, 2021

Premier’s update:

Today we are reporting four new cases and five recoveries of COVID-19. There are 63 active cases in the territory- 62 in Iqaluit and one in Kinngait. There have been 176 recoveries to date in this outbreak.

So far, 16,794 Nunavummiut have received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, and 13,520 Nunavummiut are now fully vaccinated.

As we move forward with living with COVID, we need to all remain safe and vigilant. This virus isn’t going to disappear, and it’s up to all of us to keep ourselves and each other safe.

I’m once again urging all Nunavummiut to book their vaccine appointments if you haven’t already. This is absolutely the best, easiest, safest way to protect yourself. We have the vaccines, and we hope to have enough for our 12 to 18-year-olds soon. Let’s use every possible dose we have. That part is up to you.

Let’s stay strong Nunavut and commit to keeping one another healthy. You know what to do – mask up; wash your hands often; keep six feet apart and get both vaccines.

We’ve got this. Thank you for your hard work.

 

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good morning.

Due to a potential exposure to COVID-19 at the Iqaluit Soup Kitchen, the facility is closed today to allow time for staff to be tested*. Depending on results, the kitchen might reopen tomorrow.

Here in Iqaluit, we will be widening our surveillance testing to include residential buildings that have had more than 1 unit with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Invitations to go for testing will be sent to the people living in those buildings. Tests are voluntary, but If you receive a notice to get a test, I urge you to cooperate. This will help identify cases and reduce the risk of further spread of the virus. We will not be publicly releasing which buildings are being offered this service.

Thank you.

 

* It has been confirmed that the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre is still providing services with the help of the City of Iqaluit and is now open.

 

 

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: May 19

Total Tests	Total confirmed cases	Total active cases	Total recovered cases	Deaths	Total persons followed	Current persons followed
14,725	634	63	567	4	8656	437

* 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: May 19

Community	Active COVID-19 transmission	Time period	Confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday	Confirmed COVID-19 cases today	Change in case count +/- from previous day	Deaths	Recovered Cases	Total active cases
Iqaluit	Ongoing	Since 14/04/2021	226	230	0	0	168	62
Kinngait	Ongoing	Since 19/04/2021	7	7	0	0	6	1
Rankin Inlet	Ongoing	Since 24/04/2021	2	2	0	0	2	0
Arviat	over	11/2020 – 04/2021	339	339	0	1	338	0
Whale Cove	over	11/2020 – 02/2021	23	23	0	0	23	0
Rankin Inlet	over	11/2020 – 12/2020	19	19	0	0	19	0
Sanikiluaq	over	11/2020 – 12/2020	2	2	0	0	2	0
TOTAL			618	622	0	1	558	63

COVID-19 vaccination status: May 17

	Nunavut Total Population Estimates by Community, as of July 1 2020		Vaccine uptake Meditech numbers as of May 10, 2021
	Total	18 and over	Done 1 dose	%	Done 2 dose	%
Nunavut	39,353	24,878	16,720	67%	13,305	53%
Qikiqtaaluk Region	20,822	13,359	9,595	72%	7,065	53%
Arctic Bay	946	530	347	65%	293	55%
Clyde River	1,192	688	482	70%	415	60%
Grise Fiord	140	96	68	71%	41	43%
Igloolik	1,987	1,094	523	48%	384	35%
Iqaluit	8,284	6,049	5,189	86%	3,602	60%
Kimmirut	427	265	178	67%	161	61%
Kinngait	1,547	923	518	56%	349	38%
Pangnirtung	1,631	1,008	612	61%	471	47%
Pond Inlet	1,794	1,031	605	59%	476	46%
Qikiqtarjuaq	651	421	236	56%	182	43%
Resolute Bay	218	136	174	128%	113	83%
Sanikiluaq	1,014	573	328	57%	295	51%
Sanirajak	1,000	545	335	61%	283	52%
Kivalliq Region	11,388	7,011	4,460	64%	3,859	55%
Arviat	2,918	1,696	1,247	74%	1060	63%
Baker Lake	2,265	1,471	834	57%	713	48%
Chesterfield Inlet	453	287	177	62%	159	55%
Coral Harbour	973	554	269	49%	221	40%
Naujaat	1,270	648	325	50%	291	45%
Rankin Inlet	3,026	2,089	1,438	69%	1,279	61%
Whale Cove	483	266	170	64%	136	51%
Kitikmeot Region	7,143	4,508	2,665	59%	2,381	53%
Cambridge Bay	1,902	1,352	992	73%	894	66%
Gjoa Haven	1,398	836	410	49%	369	44%
Kugaaruk	1,180	650	273	42%	256	39%
Kugluktuk	1,517	1,000	572	57%	491	49%
Taloyoak	1,143	670	418	62%	371	55%

This information shows the number of doses given in a community as of May 10, 2021.

Percentage of vaccine administered is of the 18 and older population. 

Territorial totals for doses are an accurate summary. The community level data is under review to ensure appropriate attribution. Community totals will be adjusted as needed.  This may lead to minor fluctuations in the percentages by community.

Doses are typically attributed to the community in which they are administered.

Total doses given will include residents and non-residents, including rotational workers.

An individual may have received dose 1 and/or dose 2 outside of their community of residence.

This does not account for people who may have been vaccinated partially or fully out of territory.

A high percentage in one community does not equal herd immunity. There is no established or defined percentage of what herd immunity is for COVID-19. Whatever herd immunity may be, it cannot achieved with current vaccine approvals (e.g. no vaccine available for children under twelve).

Source: Statistics Canada, Demography Division, Special tabulations. Prepared by: Nunavut Bureau of Statistics, January 27, 2021.

Eligible adults in community are defined as the number of individuals 18 and older as per the 2020 population estimates.

The community population estimates are "non-official" since they are not based on components of population growth (births, deaths and migration). They should be used with caution. 

Testing stats to date: May 17

Community	Tests Positive	Tests Negative
Iqaluit	220	2,924
Kinngait	7	160
Rankin Inlet	2	91
Arviat	339	2,889
Whale Cove	23	352
Rankin Inlet	19	339
Sanikiluaq	2	202
TOTAL	612	6,951

Isolation population: 

Traveler Type	Guests in Isolation as of May 18
Medical	387
Public	191
EMTI	50
Construction	34
Total	662

Traveller repatriation summary:

Departure Date	# of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites
May 19, 2021	64
May 20, 2021	95
May 21, 2021	54
May 22, 2021	82
May 23, 2021	21
Total	316

Critical Worker Requests:

As of May 19, there were 16,584 requests, 8,208 of which were critical worker requests.

Request Status	#	%
Approved (includes critical and non-critical)	12,784	77.1%
Denied	311	1.9%
Pending	562	3.4%
Common Travel Area	2,927	17.6%
Total	16,584	100%

 

 

Department of Education Services

Ongoing services:

K-12 Schools

The following stages continue to be in effect:

• Stage 4 – Schools in Iqaluit
• Stage 3 – Schools in the Qikiqtani region, except Sanikiluaq 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 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 fanstravel@gov.nu.ca.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

K-12 Schools

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

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.