COVID-19 present in Chesterfield Inlet

News Release

COVID-19 present in Chesterfield Inlet

Iqaluit, Nunavut (January 1, 2022) – Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), is announcing 50 new cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut, with two newly identified cases in Chesterfield Inlet. Currently there are 177 confirmed cases of the virus in Nunavut – 47 in Arviat, two in Chesterfield Inlet, one in Baker Lake, one in Pond Inlet, 16 in Igloolik, 48 in Iqaluit, 18 in Pangnirtung, three in Qikiqtarjuaq, 32 in Rankin Inlet and nine in Sanirajak. Cases in Cambridge Bay are pending confirmatory testing.

“This outbreak of COVID-19 is spreading more quickly and easily than any others we’ve experienced,” said Dr. Patterson. “Nunavummiut need to prepare for surges in case numbers and infections in every community. It’s time to shift focus to mitigating risk and understanding your role in public health. Everyone needs to stay home if they feel sick; everyone needs to wear masks; everyone needs to keep strict physical distance. Remember that vaccines are the best defense against getting severely ill from COVID-19. "

Strict territory-wide public health measures are in place until at least January 17, and travel restrictions remain in place for Arviat, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet and Sanirajak. Travel to and from those communities is restricted to essential purposes only, as well as residents. 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/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 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