YELLOWKNIFE October 19, 2021 – The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) is issuing a containment order for K'atl'odeeche First Nation Reserve Lands. Due to a sudden increase in COVID-19 transmission in the community that can’t be traced, the Public Health Order will go into effect at 11:59 tonight (Oct. 19, 2021) and be in place for 14 days until 11:59PM Nov. 2, 2021.
Contact tracing and case investigation continue which will lead to identification and finalization of a more precise number but as of now there are currently less than 10 cases.
The order will require the closure of non-essential businesses and transitioning to remote learning for the Chief Sunrise Education centre. Restrictions will be placed on indoor or outdoor gatherings to include only household members.
These restrictions are enforceable by law. Visiting any public place could result in an exposure to COVID-19. The CPHO is reminding residents of the following:
- If you are COVID-19 positive or a contact of a COVID-19 positive person and you have symptoms, you must “isolate” which means you are not permitted to leave your home or place of isolation.
- If you are a contact of a case of COVID-19 and you do not have symptoms, you must “self-isolate” which means you are permitted to leave your home to go out alone, (for example on a walk or drive) provided you do not interact with anyone at any time. If you develop symptoms during your isolation, you are no longer permitted to leave your home or place of isolation.
See more isolation advice for those diagnosed with COVID-19. Information sheet: Isolating safely at home
Anyone experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate immediately and call the health centre for additional guidance.
Masking in indoor public spaces is mandatory.
Non-essential travel in and out of K'atl'odeeche First Nation Reserve Lands is not recommended at this time. It is recommended that households designate one person to travel to Hay River to obtain essential supplies such as groceries or gas. This individual should not be symptomatic or a close contact of COVID or medically advised to isolate. They should be fully vaccinated or declared recovered from COVID 19 by a healthcare provider in the past 180 days.
All non-essential businesses must close. Essential businesses that can remain open under strict public health measures are:
- Gas stations and convenience stores.
- Facilities offering health, social supports, and childcare services (including home-based childcare). Day cares may remain open for the children of essential workers only.
- Workplaces for peace officers and others employed for the preservation and maintenance of the public peace (emergency responders, community government essential service workers, and territorial parks officers).
- Workplaces where persons are engaged in the construction of public and Indigenous infrastructure projects.
Full details on the order will be released as soon as possible and will be available on the GNWT COVID-19 website under the Current Public Health Orders: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/current-public-health-orders
The CPHO would like to remind all residents that the most important thing they can do to protect themselves from severe outcomes from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. All residents 12 years of age and older who have not yet received two doses of the vaccination should make arrangements to get fully vaccinated. All residents who are 50 years and older should get their booster dose if it has been more than 6 months after the 2nd dose.
Attribution
All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.
Relevant links
Further FAQs about these temporary restrictions can be found on the GWNT COVID-19 website.
- NWT COVID-19 Dashboard
- Travel Hotspots
- Delta Variant FAQs
- GWNT COVID-19 website
- Vaccination Bookings
Media Contact
COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories