Related to non-resident worker with exception. Contacts investigation yields limited contacts.
YELLOWKNIFE November 27 2020 – A confirmed positive COVID-19 test has been identified in Yellowknife.
The worker had traveled into NWT from out-of-Territory, self-isolated when required. As a result, contacts were limited.
The individual is isolating appropriately and doing well.
Investigation
A contact investigation yielded one contact who is also isolating appropriately.
Public risk
There have been no public exposure risks identified as a result of this positive COVID-19 diagnosis. All contacts have been isolated.
There is no identified risk to any flights as the individual was outside of their infectious period at the time of original travel into NWT.
Stick to your plan
The NWT needs out-of-territory workers to keep our territory moving.
This is why public health issues exceptions which allow some workers to go to work during their self-isolation period with stringent requirements to limit the chance of transmission.
For 14 days after arrival, those requirements include:
- Self-isolation immediately off-shift
- Mandatory masks at-work, public spaces, and in-transit
- No running personal errands or interacting with the community
- Physical distancing as much as possible while at work
- Not traveling anywhere between communities in the Northwest Territories unless it is for work and expressly approved by the Chief Public Health Officer
- Complete symptom checks throughout the 14 day period
- Testing on Day 1 and Day 8 if deemed to be a high risk essential worker
- Isolating immediately when symptomatic and calling a local health care provider
As the COVID-19 pandemic grows across Canada, following these precautions are more crucial than ever.
If you are an employer, you are responsible for ensuring your employees follow all measures. If you are an employee, recognize that taking these steps is the right thing to do to protect our communities.
Now more than ever, we all need to do our part to stop COVID-19 transmission in the NWT.
Actions taken to reduce risk
All high risk essential workers are now being tested when they arrive from outside the NWT to address the inherent risks associated with travel originating from outside the NWT. These include healthcare workers, dentists, RCMP, correctional officers and anyone else who are working in closed and highly vulnerable settings.
Case reporting
As this individual was a non-resident, and it is believed transmission occurred outside the NWT, this case will not be included in the territory’s totals.
Attribution
All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.