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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.
