YELLOWKNIFE 21 March 2020 – The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) confirms that a person in the Northwest Territories has COVID-19.
The individual’s condition has improved and they are recovering at home. Our investigation determines the individual traveled to British Columbia and Alberta. They returned home to Yellowknife and is currently self-isolated as recommended, along with their household, after developing mild symptoms three days after their return.
Those who may have had close contact are being notified to self-isolate immediately. Public health workers will assess and make further recommendations.
The public is being notified of the community because the size of Yellowknife allows privacy to be sufficiently protected. In smaller communities, the public should not expect to be informed of the community.
Testing Efforts
The Chief Public Health Officer of the Northwest Territories has mandated an aggressive testing strategy to identify and respond to the spread of COVID-19 across the Northwest Territories.
To date, 299 COVID-19 tests have been completed in the NWT with one positive.
Public Health Order Upcoming
A public health order will be announced today prohibiting all travel to the Northwest Territories from outside our boundaries with limited exceptions. Everyone in the NWT is required to follow the latest directions from the Chief Public Health Officer by law.
More information:
- Public Announcement: Chief Public Health Officer Prepares to Order the prohibition of travel to the NWT
- Self-Isolation Information Sheet (COVID-19) (GNWT)
- Self-Monitoring Information Sheet (COVID-19) (GNWT)
- Healthy Respiratory Practices (GNWT)
- Hand Hygiene (GNWT)
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) FAQs (GNWT)
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) General Information Handout (GNWT)
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) (Government of Canada)
- Travel Advisories (Government of Canada)
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) (World Health Organization)