New presumptive case in Sanikiluaq and travel restrictions for Cambridge Bay and Kinngait

News Release

New presumptive case in Sanikiluaq and travel restrictions for Cambridge Bay and Kinngait

Iqaluit, Nunavut (January 4, 2022) – Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer is announcing travel restrictions for Cambridge Bay and Kinngait. This comes after six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kinngait and three presumptive cases in Cambridge Bay.

There are currently 210 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut – 48 in Arviat, one in Baker Lake, one in Cambridge Bay, two in Chesterfield Inlet, 15 in Igloolik, 55 in Iqaluit, seven in Kinngait, 19 in Pangnirtung, one in Pond Inlet, three in Qikiqtarjuaq, 44 in Rankin Inlet and 14 in Sanirajak.

There is one presumptive case in Sanikiluaq.

Six cases were reported as recovered today – one in Igloolik, four in Iqaluit and one in Pangnirtung.

“The new cases indicate a high risk of community transmission in Cambridge Bay and Kinngait, which cannot be ignored,” said Dr. Patterson. “These travel restrictions are necessary to reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other communities."

Strict territory-wide public health measures are in place until at least January 17, and travel restrictions are in place for Arviat, Cambridge Bay, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kinngait, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet, Sanirajak. Travel to and from those communities is restricted to essential purposes and residents only. Non-essential travel, especially between communities in Nunavut, continues to be highly discouraged.

Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Dr. Patterson will hold a live update at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, January 6 about the Government of Nunavut’s on-going response to COVID-19. Tune in on the Legislative Assembly TV channel, at http://video.isilive.ca/nunavut/ or on radio in Iqaluit at 92.5FM.

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. There are longer wait times to get through to the hotline, so please remain patient. Please do not call or go to the health centre.

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/.

###

Media Contact:

Chris Puglia    
A/Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email