Rapid response team identifies two probable COVID-19 cases in Fort Liard in the last 24 hours; investigations continue in Yellowknife and Hay River
YELLOWKNIFE January 18, 2021 – The GNWT is providing daily COVID-19 updates during periods of higher COVID-19 activity.
COVID-19 infections in NWT
The NWT’s current case count is 28 confirmed and two probable cases of COVID-19.
There are currently 0 hospitalizations.
Note: probable cases are not currently included on the NWT’s COVID-19 dashboard. If they are confirmed, they will be added.
Investigations update
Fort Liard
A rapid response team was deployed to Fort Liard to assist local health staff in tracing, testing, and isolating individuals connected to positive COVID-19 cases in the community.
They completed 60 tests yesterday in the community and have continued throughout the day.
These tests have identified two probable cases of COVID-19 since yesterday’s update. The individuals are isolating and doing well.
This brings the total to three confirmed and two probable COVID-19 infections in Fort Liard.
The two probable cases were identified using point-of-care (rapid) tests. All point-of-care tests are currently verified by further laboratory testing at Stanton Territorial Hospital.
Probable cases are treated the same as confirmed cases in an investigation. Contact tracing and isolation begins immediately while the samples are confirmed.
All diagnoses are in the same cluster, originally connected to out-of-territory travel.
45 contacts are currently isolating.
Phone number for testing
To reduce call volume for health centre staff, a solution has been identified to ensure folks in the community get quick access to COVID-19 testing, while still receiving high-level routine medical service.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or if you’ve been told to be tested, call the rapid response team at 867-695-1655.
If you have trouble reaching them, call the health centre at 867-770-4301 for an appointment.
Yellowknife
A rapid response team continues to investigate the source of an infection in Yellowknife.
The team was at Avens Manor testing staff and select residents. To be clear – there is no identified exposure risk. This is part of a reverse contact-tracing exercise to cast a wide net in an effort to identify the source of infection.
The team completed this work. No new positive COVID-19 cases have been identified.
We will continue to monitor for other cases through:
- Wastewater signals
- Symptomatic case testing
- Targeted asymptomatic screening
However, it is highly likely that the source has passed their communicable period.
As time passes, if there are no detects, we will determine that widespread community transmission did not occur and that this was a single locally acquired case with no identified source.
Hay River
Since January 11, 189 individuals have come forward for COVID-19 testing. No new COVID-19 cases have been identified in Hay River.
Public health has assessed there is a high-probability that the positive wastewater signal in Hay River was connected to the new cluster of COVID-19 infections in Fort Liard. The situation will be monitored through continuing wastewater surveillance.
Exposure notifications
Exposure notifications are issued when health officials do not have confidence that they have been able to get in touch with all contacts of a known COVID-19 case.
There are no active exposure notifications in the NWT.
Advice spotlight
With at least one COVID-19 out there with no known source, and the potential for wider spread in Fort Liard, we need residents’ help in getting to the bottom of things.
No matter where you are in the NWT, it is more important than ever for you to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of any symptoms. This will help identify new cases, new contacts who should be isolated, and prevent additional transmission.
COVID-19 symptoms are:
- Fever
- New or worsening cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Generally feeling unwell
- Abdominal pain
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue or weakness
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of sense of smell/taste
- Skin changes or rashes
- Loss of appetite
Contact information
Please call 8-1-1 if you are looking for information on the new rules in Fort Liard, information about COVID-19, or trying to get the latest updates, They will help you get the information you need.
Please call the Health Centre if you feel sick and you want to arrange for testing or access any other medical care.
Attribution
All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.