COVID-19 GN Update - November 13, 2020

COVID-19 GN Update

Premier’s update

Good morning. We’ve just been made aware of another positive case of COVID-19, in Arviat. The whole Kivalliq region is going into lockdown as a precaution. This is a fast-moving situation, so please be patient with us.

Nunavut now has four confirmed cases of COVID-19.

I’ll let Dr. Patterson give more details and answer questions, but as always, please act responsibly and be strict with our public health measures.

I know you’re probably sick of me saying it over and over, but wash your hands, practice social and physical distancing, limit visiting and keep gatherings small. In the Kivalliq, stay home if you feel sick.

Call the COVID hotline at 1-888-975-8601 if you feel like you may have been exposed. It’s between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST.

Take care, Nunavummiut. Use common sense and don’t take chances with your health or anyone else’s. To everyone in Sanikiluaq, Rankin and Arviat, and all across the Kivalliq and Nunavut, take good care.

 

Chief Public Health Officer update

Good morning. Last night we were informed that an individual from Arviat has tested positive for COVID-19. This person returned to Arviat after spending 2 weeks in one of the isolation hubs in Winnipeg. 7 days after returning home, they became ill unrelated to COVID-19, and presented to the health center. Over the course of 2-3 days their symptoms worsened, and they were medevaced to Winnipeg. The person was tested for COVID-19 with a positive result coming back on Nov. 12. This individual is out of hospital and doing well. Contact tracing has begun to identify and a Rapid Response Team is on standby to assist if needed.

The individual who tested positive for COVID-19 in Rankin Inlet has a similar history. They were in Winnipeg, completed isolation in late October, and developed symptoms approximately 1 week after returning to Nunavut. This individual is stable and remains at home. Contact tracing continues but, to date, no other individuals in Rankin Inlet have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

While the common travel history is concerning, we are not yet able to say with certainty where these individuals were exposed to COVID-19. For that reason and considering there are now two cases in the region, I have decided to tighten restrictions and increase Public Health measures across the Kivalliq.

Effective immediately, all for profit and not-for profit business in all Kivalliq communities must close, with the exception of Grocery stores; Fuel and motor vehicle service stations; the Canada Post corporation; Financial Institutions. Restaurants open for take-out service may remain open under strict rules including, all customers must remain 2 metres apart at all times and no more than 10 people are permitted to line up for service at one time. All personal service providers, such as hairstylists, masseuses, must also close. Masks are now mandatory for everyone while outside their homes.

In addition, all schools, including Nunavut Arctic College, federal, territorial, and municipal government offices must close to all but essential work. All gatherings are restricted to five people and there shall be no gatherings in homes.

Effective Sunday, all travel within and out of the Kivalliq Region will be restricted to emergency medical travel, critical entry for medical response, flight emergencies, and cargo. Travellers from outside the Kivalliq transiting through to or through the region will still be allowed. Anyone travelling to the Kivalliq for longer than 24 hours, will be subject to the travel restrictions. Hunters may also leave their communities but may not travel to any other community or populated area.

Anyone who has a critical need to travel out of the Kivalliq after Sunday, must apply to @email and be granted a travel authorization letter.

I strongly advise everyone to follow the public health measures in place, they are our best defence in the effort to prevent and stop transmission of the virus.

Thank you

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

Unless it is an emergency, we are asking that people in the Kivalliq region and in Sanikiluaq to call the health centre first and get direction. Anyone with questions about COVID-19 are asked to call the hotline at 1-888-975-8601.

There are four confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Nunavut. The total number of persons followed to date is 4017. There are 735 persons currently being followed.

Closed/Cancelled/Suspended services (Kivalliq Region, Sanikiluaq):

• All speciality clinics are cancelled until further notice.
• Dental services are cancelled except for emergency only.
• Telehealth appointments are cancelled until further notice.
• Non-essential medical travel to Iqaluit is postponed. Appointments will be rescheduled at a later date.
• Home care visits are suspended at this time.

Adjusted services (Rankin Inlet):

• All prenatal appointments will be by appointment only, through the birthing centre.

 

Total (all health isolation locations)
Traveler type	Guests in Isolation as of Nov. 13
Medical	520
Public	283
Total	803

Traveller repatriation summary:

Departure date	# of travellers from health isolation sites
Nov. 13	44
Nov. 14	0
Nov. 15	20
Nov. 16	113
Total	177

Critical Worker Requests

As of Nov. 13, there were 8774 requests, 4116 of which were critical worker requests.

Request status	#	%
Approved (includes critical and non-critical)	5867	66.9%
Denied	280	3.2%
Pending	231	2.6%
Common Travel Area Approved	2396	27.3%
Total	8774	100%

 

Department of Education Services

Kivalliq Region

K-12 Schools

• According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, all Kivalliq region schools are now in Stage 4: Confirmed Cases and Community Transmission of COVID-19, until further notice.
• All schools in the Kivalliq region (Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet, Naujaat, and Whale Cove) will be implementing their Stage 4 action plans.
• All schools in the Kivalliq region are closed to students, staff, and the public until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
• All instruction in the Kivalliq region will be conducted remotely.
• Remote learning will be done by telephone and learning packages.
• Teachers/school staff will be contacting their students and families as soon as possible.
• Updates on community stages will be posted on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc…
• The school closures in the Kivalliq region will not affect staff pay.
• The department recommends that all Kivalliq region District Education Authority (DEA) staff not attend work, following the direction of the CPHO.
• Funding to the Kivalliq region DEAs will not be affected, and Kivalliq region DEAs are encouraged to continue to pay their employees as normal.

Early Learning and Child Care

• Because of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Arviat and Rankin Inlet, all Kivalliq region child care facilities have been recommended to close by the Chief Public Health Officer.
• Government of Nunavut funding to licensed child care facilities in the Kivalliq region will continue as normal.

Sanikiluaq

K-12 Schools

• According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, Sanikiluaq schools remain at Stage 4: Confirmed Cases or Community Transmission of COVID-19, until further notice.
• All schools in Sanikiluaq remain closed to students, staff, and the public until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
• Digital devices for remote learning arrived in Sanikiluaq on Tuesday, November 10. They were distributed to Paatsaali High School students.

Early Learning and Child Care

• Because of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sanikiluaq, all child care facilities have been recommended to remain closed by the Chief Public Health Officer.

Iqaluit

K-12 Schools

• According to Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, schools in Iqaluit (Iqaluit DEA, Apex DEA, and CSFN) will remain at in Stage 2: Escalated Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in the Region, until further notice.
• Elementary schools in Iqaluit (Iqaluit DEA, Apex DEA, and CSFN) will be open full-time, five days per week.
• Middle and high schools in Iqaluit will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school 2-3 days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 2 action plan.

Early Learning and Child Care

• According to the Chief Public Health Officer, all child care facilities in Iqaluit can remain open under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

 

Nunavut Arctic College Services

Kivalliq Communities – Stage 4 - Red:

• Nunavut Arctic College facilities are closed to the public.
• Where possible, classes will continue remotely.
• NAC students are asked to confirm their contact information (phone number and/or email) with their instructors.
• NAC students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, social distance and stay home if they are unwell.
• Visits to student residences are closed to the public.
• Any research related activities in these communities are asked to temporarily suspend their engagements in the communities.

Iqaluit – Stage 2- Yellow:

• NAC facilities are closed to the public including the cafeteria and the library (updated from original NAC Reopening Plan).
• Classes continue as scheduled.
• NAC students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, social distance and stay home if they are unwell.
• Visits to student residences are limited to close family only at this time (updated from original NAC Reopening Plan).
• Any research related activities in these communities are encouraged to adjust their engagements in the communities accordingly.

 

Department of Family Services

Child Welfare Protection

If you are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of a child and/or youth, call your local Community Social Services Office.

Arviat:
• Family Wellness (CSSW): 867-857-3202 or 867-857-6871
• Family Wellness Supervisor 867-857 3102 or 867-857-6786

Baker Lake:
• Family Wellness (CSSW): 867-793-2839 or 867-793 5126
• Family Wellness Supervisor: 867-793 2839 or 867-793 1348

Coral Harbour:
• Family Wellness (CSSW): 867-645-7608 or 867-645-6756
• Family Wellness Supervisor: 867-645-5064 or 867-645-6547

Chesterfield Inlet:
• Family Wellness (CSSW): 867-793-5126
• Family Wellness Supervisor 867-793-2839 or 867-793-1348

Naujaat:
• Family Wellness (CSSW): 867-462-4020 or 867-222-1385
• Family Wellness Supervisor: 867-793-2839 or 867-793-1691

Whale Cove:
• Family Wellness (CSSW): 867-896-9062 or 867-222-2336
• Family Wellness Supervisor 867-857-3201 or 867-857-6786

Territory-wide contact: 1-844-FW-CHILD (1-844-392-4453)

If you are concerned about the services that a child or youth are receiving or have comments or compliments to share, contact us at 1-855-522-5201 or email us at @email

RCMP: 867-857-1111

Social services and local RCMP contact information for each community can be found on the Family Wellness section of our website at https://www.gov.nu.ca/family-services/information/child-protection.

Income Assistance Regional Contact Information

Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat and Whale Cove:
• Kivalliq: Toll free 1-800-953-8516 ext 1602
• Kivalliq Regional Office: 1-867-645-5040 ext 1602 or ext 1600

Career Development Information

Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat and Whale Cove:
• Kivalliq: 1-800-953-8516 ext 1611

Adult Learning Training Support (ALTS) students currently enrolled in programs in will continue to receive their training allowances to the end of the fiscal year.

 

Department of Culture and Heritage Services

Adjusted services

The Department of Culture and Heritage will continue to offer grants and contributions for projects that promote, protect, preserve and revitalize the culture, language, arts and heritage of Nunavut. All community based, non-profit organizations, municipal corporations, or individuals looking for project support can apply online at https://www.gov.nu.ca/culture-and-heritage/information/grants-and-contr…

Closed services

The Library Center in Baker Lake is closed until further notice.

 

Department of Justice Services

Adjusted services:

Community Justice
In-person meetings for Community Justice are restricted to emergency situations where the client has no access to a phone or safe location to contact our service providers over the phone. Individuals are asked to contact the on-call Family Abuse Intervention Act (FAIA) line if they have any questions or need support using the following number 1-844-534-1038. The call will be assessed to determine the support needed and directed to a Community Justice Specialist who can help with applications and resource referrals.

Community Corrections
The Kivalliq Region Community Corrections offices will be closed to the public until further notice. All Kivalliq Community Corrections clients are to report by phone to the Regional Supervisors Corrections Officer using the following number: 1-888-770-7696.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

Correctional Facilities
To ensure the health and safety of all staff and inmates within our facilities, all in person visitation will be suspended until further notice.

 

Department of Economic Development and Transportation Services

Ongoing services:

• Airport operations and maintenance support will continue through the Nunavut Airports Division in Rankin Inlet.
• Access to the Kivalliq Terminal Buildings is restricted to staff, passengers, and people providing assistance to passengers.
• Masks must be worn at all times in all Nunavut Air Terminal Building.

Adjusted services:

• Community Mining Offices in Arviat will be working from home.
• Available motor Vehicle Services in the Kivalliq Region will be accessible online.
• All other departmental services in the Kivalliq Region are transitioning to work-from-home, with Directors and other essential staff in-office.
• Motor Vehicles Registrations and most Licence renewal are still being done.
• General Identification in the Kivalliq can be provided on an urgent basis only.
• No new Driver’s Licences can be processed in the Kivalliq until further notice.
• Applications for the following services can be found online at https://www.gov.nu.ca/motor_vehicles for:
  • Driver’s Licence Renewals
  • General Identification Card Renewals
  • Vehicle Registration Renewals
  • Requests for Driver’s Abstracts, Vehicle Searches, and Accident Reports

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

All non-urgent Motor Vehicles Services in the Kivalliq including driver exams, all Kivalliq Visitors Center programing, all departmentally hosted Kivalliq conferences and all in person training are suspended.

 

Department of Environment Services

Ongoing Services:

The Department of Environment continues to provide services Nunavut-wide as usual, following recommended public health measures.

The department will continue to respond to problem wildlife and spills. All spills are to be reported to the Nunavut Spill Line at 867-920-8130, 24 hours a day: https://www.gov.nu.ca/environment/documents/spill-response

Polar bear monitors will continue to patrol communities with active polar bear populations (esp. Arviat and Whale Cove), with instructions to have no in-person contact with general public and to follow the protocols outlined by the Chief Public Health Officer.

Closed/Cancelled/Suspended Services

All wildlife offices and parks offices in the Kivalliq region are closed to the public until further notice. For wildlife response 24 hours a day, please call:
• Arviat: 867-857-6944
• Baker Lake: 867-793-1692
• Chesterfield Inlet: 867-222-0330
• Coral Harbour: 867-222-0058
• Naujaat: 867-222-1437
• Rankin Inlet: 867-645-6447
• Whale Cove: 867-341-0388

 

Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs

Adjusted services:

The Government Liaison Offices in the Kivallik region are closed to the public. Government Liaison Officers are working remotely and can be reached at:
• Rankin Inlet: Lydia Tatty, Regional Supervisor, Kivalliq, @email
• Naujaat: Goretti Panika-Tinashlu, Government Liaison Officer, @email
• Coral Harbour: Elizabeth Ningeongan, Government Liaison Officer,@email
• Chesterfield Inlet: Maliki Kattegatsiak, Government Liaison Officer, @email
• Whale Cove: Sharon Okalik, Government Liaison Officer, @email
• Arviat: Sharon Illnik, Government Liaison Officer, @email
• Baker Lake: Gabrielle Kingilik, Government Liaison Officer, @email

 

Department of Human Resources

GN offices in Sanikiluaq and the Kivalliq region are closed to the public.

All non-essential Government of Nunavut (GN) employees in Sanikiluaq and the Kivalliq region are to work from home. Your supervisor will work with you to provide any needed equipment or resources to work from home.

Suggestions and tips for working from home can be found on the GN Intranet site: http://intranet/covid19/ and will be sent via email.

You can access your work emails by logging into Microsoft Office 365 on your computer at https://www.office.com/ or downloading the Microsoft Outlook app on your smart phone.

All essential GN employees in Sanikiluaq and the Kivalliq region who can work from home, should work from home. Otherwise, they will continue to work at their workplaces and follow the Health, Safety and Wellness Checklists for GN Workplaces and the Return to the Workplace Checklist for GN Employees, read the COVID-19 Questions and Answers and follow posted health and safety signage to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You can find the checklists, questions and answers and posters on the GN Intranet site: http://intranet/covid19/.

Contact @email if you don’t have access to the GN Intranet site and require copies of any of the resources posted there.

At this time, GN employees in all communities other than Sanikiluaq and the Kivalliq region are to report to work as normal.

 

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.