YELLOWKNIFE August 20, 2021 – The Office of Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) is announcing 29 new cases of COVID-19 in the NWT today for a total of 197 active cases among residents in the territory and one out of territory case for a total of 198 active cases.
Community Breakdown
|
Region |
Community |
Total Case Count |
|
Sahtu |
Fort Good Hope |
86 |
|
Colville Lake |
73 |
|
|
Deline |
8 |
|
|
Noman Wells |
10 |
|
|
Beaufort Delta |
Inuvik |
1 |
|
Yellowknife |
Yellowknife |
20 |
|
TOTAL |
198 |
|
Hospitalizations are less than 5.
Check the NWT COVID-19 Dashboard for further details about percentage of unvaccinated cases and Variant of Concern updates.
https://nwt-covid.shinyapps.io/Testing-and-Cases/?lang=1
New Public Health Exposure Locations for Aug. 20, 2021
For a full list of all CURRENT public exposure notifications: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/services/public-exposure-notifications
Yellowknife
|
Location |
Date(s)/Time range(s) |
Required Action(s) |
|
Salvation Army
|
|
High Exposure Setting All individuals must isolate 10 days and get testing |
Isolation centre spaces are available for individuals that have come forward as affected by this exposure notification. Salvation Army men's shelter staff have reached out to individuals to inform them to isolate. If anyone has, or is aware of individuals who stayed at the shelter on these nights, please contact Salvation Army staff
Fort Good Hope/Colville Lake
The OCPHO has issued a local containment order for Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake. The Public Health Order is pursuant to s.25 of the Public Health Act and mandates containment measures for 10 days to prevent further COVID-19 transmission.
Self-Isolation instructions for residents:
Public Health Orders:
https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/current-public-health-orders
Norman Wells
On Wednesday August 18 the CPHO declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the Sahtú Dene Nechá Kǫ́ Long Term Care Facility in Norman Wells. The Chief Public Health Officer is recommending that residents of Norman Wells keep to a limited friendship circle, and to avoid indoor gatherings at this time.
When people gather it can spread the virus. By limiting your social circle to those within your household and five close friends, it can help decrease your number of interactions and reduce the risk of transmission in the community.
Consider working from home if possible, getting takeout or picnicking rather than dining indoors, wear a mask when not with household members or in indoor spaces and connecting with friends or loved ones over the phone or virtually.
If at any time you or someone in your circle is sick stay home and seek testing.
Health Service Updates
Sahtu and Dehcho Regions
All Health Centres in the Sahtu and Dehcho regions will be running on emergency services only until further notice. Emergency services are still available; regular appointments and non-urgent issues may be delayed. Contact your health centre for information.
Those that would like to book immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, should call their local health centre to find out when they may be able to get vaccinated.
Those that have symptoms of COVID-19 or are concerned with being in contact with COVID-19 should remain at home and call their local Health Centre for screening. Please do not show up in person to the Health Centre without calling ahead. Call the Health Centre first and the Health Care staff will provide information on where testing will take place.
Yellowknife Region
Due to staffing redeployment to support outbreak management, Yellowknife Primary Care Clinic and Frame Lake Community Health Centre will be providing virtual appointments until the end of August. Yellowknife Public Health will be operating on reduced services until August 30. Appointments related to STI testing, Workers Safety and Compensation Commission, and newborn vaccinations will still be available during this time; if you are unsure if your appointment will proceed, please call ahead. Emergency services in Yellowknife are still available, however regular appointments and non-urgent issues may be delayed.
To book COVID-19 testing or vaccination in Yellowknife, please use the online booking service or call Public Health at 767-9120. Online booking is preferred.
Supports in community
These measures are not easy.
The GNWT is working with all communities affected to support emergency response needs in the event residents need support during this time.
Regular updates on the situation and about community supports will be provided in North Slavey and English on CKLB radio.
Residents can also continue to access mental health and addictions support they regularly access. They should contact their care provider to discuss how accessing those services may change to protect against COVID-19 transmission.
Residents who unable to access support with non-healthcare related needs throughout their self-isolation period can reach out to their community government for assistance. Regional Emergency Measures Organizations are working with community governments to address needs as they arise.
The Municipal and Community Affairs Sahtu Regional Office is temporarily closed, staff are working remotely and reachable by email.
Attribution
All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.
Relevant links
- NWT COVID-19 Dashboard
- Travel Hotspots
- Delta Variant FAQs
- GWNT COVID-19 website
- Vaccination Bookings
Media Contact
Dawn Ostrem
Manager, COVID Communications
COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories