Source of Positive Wastewater Signal Remains Undetected.
Testing available in Hay River on weekend.
HAY RIVER January 16, 2021 – The Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory reports a persistent positive COVID-19 signal in Hay River wastewater collected on January 11, 2021. The signal is from at least one person with a COVID-19 infection.
Testing in the previous 48 hours has not determined the source and Public Health officials are extending the hours of a dedicated clinic to test people, as well as the range of people in self-isolation being asked to get tested.
The clinic will run on both Saturday and Sunday. Anyone at any stage of self-isolation in Hay River or K'atl'odeeche First Nation from January 1 until present is urged to get tested. Earlier this week, Public Health officials had focused on people self-isolating between January 1-6.
Clinic Open on the Weekend
You are urged to get tested if, between January 1 to present, you were in Hay River or K'atlo'deeche First Nation at any stage of your self-isolation because you entered the NWT from another jurisdiction. You should be tested even if you don’t have symptoms.
For those who require testing in Hay River:
- Testing is available at 52 Woodland Drive on the weekend as follows:
- January 16: 11:00am - 3:00pm
- January 17: 11:00am - 3:00pm
- Call Public Health at 867-874-8400 to book your appointment.
- A Public Health nurse will call you back, complete screening, and set up your appointment.
- If you do not have transportation, the Public Health nurse will discuss options for getting you safely tested.
- Please remember to wear your mask to and at the clinic.
- When you arrive, follow the signage to the drive-thru testing area at the front of the building. Remember to stay in your vehicle, stay in line, and wait for your turn.
For those who need testing in other communities:
- Contact your local health centre or Public Health unit.
- Inform them you were self-isolating between January 1 and present in Hay River or K'atlo'deeche First Nation and require a COVID-19 test.
- Follow all directions from health care providers on getting tested safely at the health centre or Public Health unit.
Essential Workers
Essential services workers who were not self-isolating because they received an exemption to work who were in Hay River or KFN since January 1 should also be tested.
This recommendation to get tested does not apply to high-risk essential service workers without symptoms who were already tested as part of their permission to work (e.g. health care workers).
Confidential and supportive
If you do receive a positive COVID-19 test, Public Health officials will work with you to confidentially investigate any people you saw recently who may be at-risk, and any locations where there may have been an exposure risk.
Your information will be kept confidential and Public Health officials will follow-up on your well-being regularly throughout your isolation period to help keep you safe.
Public risk
Currently, there is not enough information to confidently assess public risk.
But with evidence pointing towards at least one undetected case of COVID-19 in Hay River, we are asking the public to assist in containing the situation quickly to prevent transmission.
Attribution
All commentary is attributable to Dr. Andy Delli-Pizzi, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.