COVID-19 GN Update - January 25, 2021

COVID-19 GN Update - January 25, 2021

Premier’s update:

Good morning. Well, we’re back earlier than I expected, and as we all know, there is another outbreak in Arviat.

Today, we are announcing an additional two new cases. There are now 17 active cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut, all in Arviat. The total number of persons followed to date is 6306. There are 362 persons currently being followed.

In positive news, 4458 Nunavummiut have been vaccinated so far. Thank you so much to those of you who have participated in our vaccination clinics.

Now more than ever, I think we can all see how important it is to get vaccinated. This vaccine is our very best defense against this virus right now. If the vaccination clinic dates have been set in your community, make a plan to get the shot. This is how we protect our loved ones and our most vulnerable.

We cannot become lazy or complacent about COVID-19. Stay aware, stay prepared and following the public health measures, always.

I’m sending strength and positivity to my fellow Arviammiut. I know how hard you’re working and I know this is hard. We’ve got this. Stay strong.

 

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good morning,

I want to start off by stressing the importance of following public health measures. Keeping gatherings small, avoiding visiting multiple households, and limiting the number of households your visitors are from, reduces the risk that this virus will spread if someone catches it.

Current information suggests that the new cases of COVID-19 in Arviat are all linked to gatherings in homes. We have found no evidence of the infection coming from an outside location.

With multiple households now involved, we have had no choice but to increase public health restrictions. This means:

• Air and land travel to and from Arviat is restricted. Anyone leaving or entering the community needs authorization from the CPHO.
• All non-essential workplaces, including non-essential government offices, are closed until further notice.
• There shall be no outdoor public gathering and nor public gatherings indoors.
• Visitors to homes are restricted to five people plus the occupants for emergencies only.
• Schools are closed.

We are also asking anyone who has travelled from Arviat since January 19 to self-monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days. We also ask these people to contact the health centre in the community they are in to help with contact tracing and monitoring.

Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms is asked to contact Nunavut’s COVID-19 hotline immediately for instructions. The number is 1-888-975-8601.

For the time being, restrictions in other communities will remain the same. However, we will be actively monitoring the situation and if we identify increased risk outside of Arviat we will consider changing restrictions in other communities. At this time, there have been no high-risk contacts identified who are outside of Arviat.

To help reduce the risk to other communities, medical travel from Arviat to Iqaluit and Rankin is suspended for the time being. Appointments that can be done virtually will be and those patients that require an appointment will be sent to Winnipeg. Medical travellers returning to Arviat from Southern Canada will be given the option to remain in isolation while the outbreak is being managed.

I urge everyone in Arviat to follow the restrictions even if you were recently vaccinated. It has been too soon since the vaccine was delivered in Arviat for those who received it to have developed the protection. It takes about two weeks before the first dose provides about 80% protection from developing serious infection. The second dose increases that percentage to 94%. We also do not yet know if the vaccine stops transmission.

Anyone 18 or over who missed the first vaccine clinic in Arviat can call the health centre to make an appointment.

I want to assure everyone that health staff are working hard to help contain this latest outbreak and I urge people to cooperate with contact tracing and isolation efforts. Rapid Response team members are assisting the eight nurses in the community both virtually and on the ground.

To conclude I want to announce three more vaccine clinics coming up in Naujaat, Kinngait, and Sanikiluaq.

Sanikiluaq will be held Feb. 8 and 9 at Paatsaali High School.

Naujaat will hold its clinic at Tusarvik School on February 15 and 16.

Kingait will hold its clinic at the Community Hall from February 22 to 24.

All clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call your health centre to make an appointment.

Additional clinic dates will be announced this week.

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

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

 

Arviat Health centre

Health centre will continue to operate, but clients are asked to call before attending to ensure proper screening and physical distancing.  Hours of operation are subject to change to meet operational staffing requirements.

 

Upcoming Community Vaccine Clinics

Elders’ Facility clinics in communities will be focused clinics with health staff going on site to administer the vaccine. Health staff will reach out to the Elder’s facilities directly for the vaccination times and dates.

Iqaluit Public Health Clinic 1

• Location: Iqaluit Public Health, building 1091.
• Priority group 1: Elders 65+ and shelter residents,
  Priority group 2: frontline healthcare providers and first responders, medevac flight crews, residents and staff of group homes, the Akausisarvik Mental Health Treatment Centre, and residents and staff at correctional facilities.
• Date (1st dose): Jan. 25-29. 
• Time: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Clinic type: by appointment.
• Call 867-975-4810.

Iqaluit Hospital Clinic 2

• Location: QGH clinic side.
• Priority group 1: Elders 65+ and shelter residents
  Priority group 2: frontline healthcare providers and first responders, medevac flight crews, residents and staff of group homes, the Akausisarvik Mental Health Treatment Centre, and residents and staff at correctional facilities.
• Date (1st dose): Jan. 30. 
• Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Clinic type: by appointment.
• Call 867-975-4810.

Baker Lake

• Location: Jonah Amitnaaq School.
• Priority populations 45+ age group.
• Date (1st Dose): January 25-27.
• Time: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call 867-793-2816.

Kugaaruk

• Location: Arviligruaq Ilinniarvik school.l
• Date (1st dose): February 4-5.
• Time: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call: 867-769-6441.

Sanikiluaq

• Location: Paatsaali High School.
• Date (1st dose): February 8-9.
• Time: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call: 867-226-8965.

Naujaat

• Location: Tusarvik School.
• Date (1st dose): February 15-16.
• Time: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call: 867-462-9916.

Kingait

• Location: Community Hall.
• Date (1st dose): February 22-24.
• Time: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call: 867-897-8820.

Igloolik

• Location: Iglulik High School. 
• Date (2nd Dose): February 1-2.
• Time: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Clinic Type: walk-in clinic.

Iqaluit Elder’s Home

• Location: Elders Home.
• Date (2nd Dose): February 3.

Gjoa Haven

• Location: Qiqirtaq High School
• Date (2nd Dose): February 8-9. 
• Time: 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call 867-360-7441.

Whale Cove

• Location: Inuglak School.
• Date (2nd Dose): February 15-16.
• Time: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call 867-896-9916.

Rankin Inlet

• Location: Singiituq Complex Community Hall.
• Date (2nd Dose): February 15-18.
• Time: 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call 867-645-8070.

Chesterfield Inlet

• Location: Victor Sammurtok School.
• Date (2nd Dose): February 19-20.
• Time: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call 867-898-9968.

Iqaluit Public Health Clinic 1

• Location: Iqaluit Public Health, building 1091.
• Priority populations 65+ age group and shelter residents.
• Date (2nd dose): Pending. 
• Time: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Clinic type: by appointment.
• Call 867-975-4810.

Iqaluit Hospital Clinic 2

• Location: QGH clinic side.
• Priority populations 65+ age group and shelter residents.
• Date (2nd dose): Pending. 
• Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Clinic type: by appointment.
• Call 867-975-4810.

 

COVID-19 case status: Jan. 25

Total Tests	Total confirmed cases	Total active cases	Total recovered cases	Deaths	Total persons followed	Current persons followed	Total vaccine doses administered
7382	282	17	264	1	6306	362	4458

*Total vaccine administered is updated as regularly as possible, but might be lower than actual count.

COVID-19 community case statistics: Jan. 25

Community	Confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday	Confirmed COVID-19 cases today	Change in case count +/- from previous day	Deaths	Recovered Cases	Total active cases
Arviat	236	238	2	1	220	17
Whale Cove	23	23	0	0	23	0
Rankin Inlet	19	19	0	0	19	0
Sanikiluaq	2	2	0	0	2	0
TOTAL	280	282	2	1	264	17

Testing stats to date per community: Jan. 25

Community	Tests Positive	Tests Negative
Arviat	238	1538
Whale Cove	23	304
Rankin Inlet	19	399
Sanikiluaq	2	202
TOTAL	282	2443

Isolation population: 

Traveler Type	Guests in Isolation as of Jan. 24
Medical	295
Public	335
EMTI	25
Construction	115
Total	770

Traveller repatriation summary:

Departure Date	# of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites
Jan 23 2021	18
Jan 24 2021	26
Jan 25 2021	148
Jan 26 2021	34
Jan 27 2021	114
Total	340

Critical Worker Requests:

As of Jan. 13 there were 11010 requests, 5274 of which were critical worker requests.

Request Status	#	%
Approved (includes critical and non-critical)	7481	67.9%
Denied	297	2.7%
Pending	328	3.0%
Common Travel Area	2904	26.4%
Total	11010	100%

 

 

Department of Family Services

Due to increased cases of COVID-19 in Arviat, Income Assistance appointments will be done by phone as much as possible with in-person appointments as needed.

This is meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community and to keep everyone safe.   

Please call your local IAW or the Regional Office listed below to set up an appointment. Please leave a message if there is no answer, you will be called back.  You will be advised if the appointment will be in person or on the telephone.

If you do not have access to a phone, please visit the Income Assistance Office during your appointment time.  Due to Covid-19 there will be only one person allowed into the Income Assistance Office at a time.

If you are receiving EI, CPP, OAS/GIS, CRB or CRCB please have the amount and the last payment date available for your appointment.

No physical cheques will be issued during the Public Health Emergency in your community.  Your Income Assistance Worker will ask you to choose a store, or stores, where you wish your payment to be made on your behalf in your community.

The payment will be available for you at that store after 11:00 am the following day.

Please follow the stores guidelines on social distancing and the number of community members allowed in at a time.

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

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

• Kivalliq: Toll free 1-800-953-8516 ext 1602
• Kivalliq Regional Office: 1-867-645-5040 ext 1602 or ext 1600

Career Development Information

• Kivalliq: 1-800-953-8516 ext 1611

 

 

Department of Justice Services

Ongoing services:

Community Corrections

Offices in Arviat will be closed and clients are still required to contact the office using the number below:

Region	Region Community	Contact Name	Contact Number
Kivalliq	Arviat	Jeannie Alikut	867-857-8509

Community Justice

In-person meetings for Community Justice in Arviat is 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 Emergency Protection Order applications and resource referrals.

Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:

Correctional facilities remain closed to the public. The established precautionary measures will remain in place.

 

 

Department of Education Services

K-12 Schools

As of Monday, January 25, 2021, schools in the communities listed below will move to the following stages:

• Arviat – Stage 4
• Inuglak School in Whale Cove will continue to be at Stage 3.
• All other Nunavut schools are at Stage 2.

Updates on community stages can be found on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc….

Stage 4 – Arviat

• As of Monday, January 25, 2021, all Arviat schools will be implementing their Stage 4 action plan.
• All Arviat schools will remain closed until further notice from the Chief Public Health Officer.
• All instruction in Arviat will be conducted remotely.
• Teachers and school staff will be contacting their students and families on a regular basis.

Early Learning and Child Care

The status of child care facilities across the territory is at the discretion of the Chief Public Health Officer.

All child care facilities in Arviat have been recommended to remain closed by the Chief Public Health Officer.

The Department of Education will continue its normal Operation and Maintenance (O&M) funding for all facilities whether they are open or closed.

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

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) employees are continuing to provide services including:

• Processing funding applications;
• Travel requests;
• Issuing payments; and,
• Responding to inquiries.

All inquiries to FANS should be emailed to @email. Response times may be slower than normal.

The FANS office in Arviat is currently closed to the public until further notice.

 

 

Department of Economic Development and Transportation Services

Ongoing services:

Airport operations and maintenance updates:

• Access to Air Terminal Buildings is restricted to staff, passengers, and people providing assistance to passengers.
• Masks must be worn at all times in Air Terminal Buildings.
• Follow all public health guidelines.

Clients who require assistance in applying for or following up on economic development program applications may contact the local Community Economic Development Officer in Arviat at @email or contact the department’s regional office in Rankin Inlet at 867-645-8450 and/or @email.

Motor Vehicles services in Arviat can be accessed by contacting the Motor Vehicles Division directly at @email or by calling 1-888-975-5999 (toll free) or 1-867-975-7800 for assistance. These services include First time Vehicle Registrations, and Temporary (Emergency) Travel Identification.

Motor Vehicles services are also available online at gov.nu.ca/motorvehicles where residents can request:

• Driver’s Licence Renewals.
• General Identification Card Renewals.
• Vehicle Registration Renewals.
• Requests for Driver’s Abstracts, Vehicle Searches, and Accident Reports.

Adjusted services:

Departmental staff in Arviat are transitioning to work-from home operations.

 

 

Department of Human Resources Services

The Government of Nunavut (GN) offices in Arviat are closed to the public effective January 25, 2021.

All non-essential GN employees in Arviat 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 Arviat 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.

If you are unsure whether you’re an essential or non-essential employee, please contact your supervisor or human resources coordinator.

At this time, GN employees in all communities other than in Arviat are to report to work as normal.

Remember:

• If you are sick, stay home (special paid self-isolation leave is available).
• If you have been in contact with someone who may have COVID-19, stay home and call the COVID-19 hotline at 975-8601 or 1-888-975-8601 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern to speak with a public health representative. There is a self-assessment tool available here: https://nu.thrive.health/covid19/en.
• Maintain physical distancing: two metres (6.5ft) apart from others.
• Limit group sizes as per public health’s restrictions.
• Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
• Meet remotely via email, phone or video.
• Practise low or no-touch for common surfaces.
• Wash and sanitize your hands regularly.

Find out more about COVID-19 and access resources at the Department of Health’s website: https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus.

This work plan may change. Stay in touch with your supervisor or human resources coordinator about any changes.

There’s Help

The GN encourages our employees and their family members to explore how our Employee and Family Assistance Program can help at this time. The Employee and Family Assistance Program includes a toll-free confidential phone number, 1-800-663-1142, that employees and/or their family members can call at any time to talk to a trained counsellor in any of Nunavut’s official languages, and also includes online resources and tools at www.homewoodhealth.com. 

 

 

Department of Community and Government services

Construction workers who completed isolation January 1 – January 21, 2021
Dates	Number
January 1 – 24, 2021 Total	77
May – November 2020 Total	2,257

 

 

Nunavut Arctic College

Adjusted services:

Nunavut Arctic College facilities in Arviat have been moved to STAGE 4 – CODE RED effective immediately. This means that all Nunavut Arctic College facilities in Arviat are closed with access restricted to essential workers only.

For NAC students in Arviat:

• Programs will be moving to remote learning, where applicable.
• Please make sure you have access to your student email: @email (if you do not have a student email account, please contact @email or contact NAC IT Support by phone at 1-867-222-2083.)
• Important updates will be shared from our Communications Division.
• Students are asked to ensure their instructors have their contact information (email and/or phone number).
• Students are encouraged to keep in (virtual) contact with their instructors and classmates for support.
• Please stay tuned for updates on our social media (Facebook and Twitter) channels and website.

For NAC Instructors in Arviat:

• Programs will be moving to remote learning, where applicable.
• Instructors are asked to ensure they have their students’ contact information.
• Instructors are asked to keep in regular contact with their Program Head.
• Ensure you have the information you require from your office computer, including Y: drive.
• Instructors are asked to be mindful of privacy matters while working from home.
• If applicable, please have timesheets prepared and/or have the forms with you.

For NAC Staff in Arviat:

• NAC facilities will be accessible to essential workers only. 
• Essential workers are asked to confirm their work schedule with their supervisors.
• Masks must be worn by essential workers while in the facilities.
• Staff are asked to confirm their supervisors have their contact information, and the contact information for those that report to them.
• If you are working from home, please ensure you have the information required from your office computer, including Y: drive.
• Staff are asked to be mindful of privacy matters while working from home.
• If applicable, please have timesheets prepared and/or have the form with you.

IT Supports for Students and Staff

• If you require NAC IT Support contact: @email or by phone at 1-867-222-2083.
• To schedule training for Microsoft tools such as Teams, OneDrive, Outlook, Planner, Forms, etc, contact NAC IT Support at the training-specific number: 1-867-222-2428.

NAC understands there are many concerns about student safety and COVID-19.  NAC also understands that some students may want to travel to or from Arviat. As outlined in the Government of Nunavut press release “travel to and from the community is restricted.”

 

Nunavut Housing Corporation

Ongoing services:

NHC Headquarters and District staff will be operating with essential staff in the office, with all non-essential staff working from home. Programs and daily business will not be affected.

Adjusted services:

Arviat Local Housing Authority will be responding to emergency calls only, such as no heat or no water. The essential staff that will be responding to emergencies will be taking all COVID-19 protocols when entering homes.

 

 

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.