COVID-19 GN Update – January 25, 2022

As of this morning Nunavut has 247 positive cases of COVID-19.

We have active cases in 17 communities – the reported numbers are:

• 24 in Arviat,
• 37 in Baker Lake,
• 24 in Cambridge Bay,
• One in Chesterfield Inlet,
• 11 in Coral Harbour,
• 24 in Igloolik
• 41 in Iqaluit,
• Zero in Gjoa Haven,
• One Kimmirut
• 13 in Kinngait,
• Zero in Kugaaruk,
• 11 in Naujaat,
• Zero in Pangnirtung,
• Two in Pond Inlet,
• One in Qikiqtarjuaq,
• 18 in Rankin Inlet,
• Four in Sanirajak,
• 29 in Sanikiluaq,
• Three in Taloyoak, and
• Three in Whale Cove.

We have 90 reported recoveries today. There have been 518 total reported recoveries in this outbreak.

I want to once again remind Nunavummiut to adhere to public health measures. We all must do your part to keep our communities safe, especially as our children are returning to the classroom this week.

Please continue to:

• Stay home when possible.
• Stick to your small bubble.
• Get vaccinated.
  • And get your booster shot.
• Wear a mask.
• Alert the COVID hotline and isolate if you have any symptoms.

Grappling with this pandemic is not easy – it takes a toll on all of us.

Please be patient, kind, and community minded.

Qujannamiik.

Minister of Justice Update:

Good morning, over the weekend we received confirmation of positive COVID results at the Aaqqigiravik Correctional Healing Facility.

With the support of the Department of Health and Correction’s medical staff, we have conducted approximately 170 PCR tests of clients and staff to identify those impacted.

To date, 12 tests have come back positive and we await further results which could result in an increase in positive results within our Facility.

With the positive cases in December 2021, Corrections has implemented stricter protocols within all of our facilities. With COVID-19 now in the facility, we have increased COVID-19 contingencies which includes a dedicated wing for isolating clients.

As part of our protocol, the correctional healing facility will be conducting testing every 72 hours.

I want to assure families of clients and staff that every safety precaution is being taken. With the space available in the new facility, we are currently able to accommodate and safely isolate those that have tested positive.

I also want to thank our dedicated facility staff who are working very hard to address this situation and ensure client safety.

For our five other correctional facilities, we continue to monitor the situation and remain prepared.

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good morning,

Yesterday evening, we announced changes to Public Health Measures in Igloolik. This was necessary to help control the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the community. Effective immediately, gathering limits have been decreased to zero except for emergencies only, schools, non-essential businesses and government offices are closed, and masks continue to be mandatory. I urge everyone to follow these rules to help us stop the spread of the virus.

The situation in Igloolik demonstrates how quickly this virus can spread. It is vital people in all communities continue to follow the public health measures, get vaccinated, wear a mask and isolate when advised. Taking these steps helps protect all Nunavummiut.

Shipments of the Pfizer pediatric vaccine will begin arriving in communities on January 31. Schedules and more information can be found on the GN website at gov.nu.ca. I encourage everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to get vaccinated. The vaccine is our best defence against COVID-19.

I would like to remind people who are waiting for COVID-19 test results not to call the COVID-19 hotline or the health centre. You will be contacted with your results.

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

Pfizer second dose vaccinations

The Department of Health is rolling out second dose vaccination clinics across the territory for ages 5 to 11. The COVID-19 pediatric Pfizer vaccine is available to those ages 5 to 11 who have received their first dose at least eight weeks ago.

In Iqaluit, COVID-19 vaccines continue to be offered at Iqaluit Public Health. Call 867-975-4810 to schedule an appointment. Upcoming scheduled clinics to administer the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine in communities will be:

Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Arviat	February 5 to 6	867-857-3100
Sanikiluaq	February 5 to 6	867-266-8965
Sanirajak	February 6 to 7	867-928-8827
Rankin Inlet	February 8 to 9	867-645-8300
Cambridge Bay	February 9 to 10	867-983-4500
Whale Cove	February 10 to 11	867-896-9916
Kinngait	February 12 to 13	867-897-8820
Naujaat	February 13 to 14	867-462-9916
Chesterfield Inlet	February 14 to 15	867-898-9968
Kimmirut	February 15 to 16	867-939-2217
Igloolik	February 16 to 17	867-934-2100
Coral Harbour	February 17 to 18	867-925-9916
Pangnirtung	February 19 to 20	867-473-8977
Qikiqtarjuaq	February 19 to 20	867-927-8916
Clyde River	February 21 to 22	867-924-6377
Pond Inlet	February 22 to 23	867-899-7500

Clinic dates are subject to change pending weather or flight delays.

Schedule for vaccine arrival in all other communities is noted below. Please call your local health centre to book an appointment,

Pediatric Vaccines Arrive in Community
Community	Dates	Call
Grise Fiord	January 31	867-980-9923
Resolute Bay	January 31	867-252-3844
Arctic Bay	January 31	867-439-8873
Kugaaruk	February 2	867-769-6441
Gjoa Haven	February 2	867-360-7441
Taloyoak	February 2	867-561-5111
Baker Lake	February 3	867-793-2812
Kugluktuk	February 3	867-982-4531

COVID-19 case statistics: January 25, 2022

Total Tests	Total confirmed cases	Total active cases	Total recovered cases	Deaths	Total persons vaccinated with at least one dose in Nunavut	Total persons vaccinated with two doses in Nunavut	Total persons vaccinated with three doses in Nunavut
30,113	1439	247	1187	5	31,855	25,369	11,123

COVID-19 community case statistics: January 25, 2022

Community	COVID-19 status	Time period	Public case count yesterday (TOTAL)	Public case count today (TOTAL)	Change from yesterday (cases)	Cumulative Recovered	Change from yesterday (recoveries)	Total Active Cases
Kimmirut	Ongoing	Since 22 Jan 2022	1	1	0	0	0	1
Naujaat	Ongoing	Since 15 Jan 2022	15	15	0	4	4	11
Kugaaruk	Ongoing	Since 14 Jan 2022	2	2	0	2	0	0
Gjoa Haven	Ongoing	Since 14 Jan 2022	6	4	-2	4	3	0
Taloyoak	Ongoing	Since 11 Jan 2022	7	7	0	4	4	3
Coral Harbour	Ongoing	Since 9 Jan 2022	20	26	6	15	4	11
Whale Cove	Ongoing	Since 7 Jan 2022	13	16	3	12	3	3
Sanikiluaq	Ongoing	Since 4 Jan 2022	35	41	6	12	6	29
Kinngait	Ongoing	Since 01/02/2022	56	59	3	46	12	13
Pond Inlet	Ongoing	Since 01/01/2022	1	3	2	1	0	2
Chesterfield Inlet	Ongoing	Since 01/01/2022	6	6	0	5	0	1
Cambridge Bay	Ongoing	Since 12/30/2021	59	65	6	41	6	24
Igloolik	Ongoing	Since 12/29/2021	31	42	11	18	0	24
Baker Lake	Ongoing	Since 12/29/2021	51	57	6	20	10	37
Arviat	Ongoing	Since 12/29/2021	122	122	0	98	14	24
Sanirajak	Ongoing	Since 12/29/2021	24	24	0	20	3	4
Qikiqtarjuaq	Ongoing	Since 12/28/2021	8	8	0	7	0	1
Rankin Inlet	Ongoing	Since 12/23/2021	84	89	5	71	9	18
Pangnirtung	Ongoing	Since 12/23/2021	26	26	0	26	0	0
Iqaluit	Ongoing	Since 11/04/2021	147	153	6	112	12	41
TOTAL			714	766	52	518	90	247

*Please note: These numbers change frequently. Every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date and complete, but it may not reflect all persons followed or tested.

** Starting 17 Jan 2022, confirmed cases include those meeting the revised Nunavut case definitions. This includes COVID-19 cases detected either by a confirmatory (PCR) or a presumptive (rapid) test.

***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 vaccination status: January 25, 2022

 

Details/Limitations:

This information shows the number of doses given in a community as of January 25, 2022. The percentage of vaccine administered is vaccine administered divided by the Nunavut population estimate for 18 and older.

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.

Multiple communities represent individuals who received doses in two separate communities, or in communities that are not their place of residence.

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.

Dose numbers are from the Department of Health’s Meditech system.

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.

Isolation population:

Traveler Type	Guests in Isolation as of January 24
Medical	58
Public	0
EMTI	0
Construction	0
Total	58

Traveller repatriation summary:

Departure Date	# of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites
Jan. 25, 2022	11
Jan. 26, 2022	7
Jan. 27, 2022	2
Jan. 28, 2022	3
Jan. 29, 2022	5
Total	28

Department of Education Services

K-12 Schools

On January 24, schools reopened to students at either 100% capacity or 50% capacity, depending on the COVID-19 situation in each community.

• Schools in Cambridge Bay, Arviat, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit, Kinngait, and Sanikiluaq opened at 50% capacity.
• Schools in all other communities opened at 100% capacity.
• Schools will communicate directly to students and families regarding their status and cohort plans.
• If parents are not sure when their student is returning to class, they should contact their student’s teacher.

Early Learning and Child Care

As advised by the CPHO, Igloolik child care facilities may remain open for essential workers.

Ongoing services:

FANS

• The FANS office continues to process payments for students who have submitted their Student Enrollment Form (SEF).
• Students must allow up to 15 business days from the date they submitted their SEF to FANS to the date they should see the funds deposited into their bank account.
• If after 15 business days students have not received a deposit in their bank account, they can email fans@gov.nu.ca to let them know. Students should attach a copy of their bank statement from January 1 to the current date.
• Questions about FANS benefits can be sent to fans@gov.nu.ca.
• Students with questions about their FANS-eligible travel can contact fanstravel@gov.nu.ca for information.
• Students who experience flight changes during their travel should email fanstravel@gov.nu.ca during office hours or, if it is after hours, call the after-hours travel number at 1-867-857-6950.

Adjusted services:

Early Learning and Child Care

As advised by the CPHO, Igloolik child care facilities may remain open for essential workers.

FANS

During peak times for the FANS office, such as the start of a new semester, the service standard for responding to emails is 3-5 business days. Response times from the FANS office may be delayed due to active COVID-19 cases in Arviat.

Closed/Cancelled/Suspended Services:

K-12 Schools

As advised by the CPHO, Igloolik schools are closed to students and staff beginning January 25, 2022.

• Schools in Igloolik will reach out to students regarding remote learning for the coming week.

January diploma exams for Nunavut students have been cancelled. Students who were scheduled to write a diploma exam in January 2022 will receive an exemption and their school mark will stand for 100% of their overall mark.

Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands, get vaccinated, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.

NT5