Daily Update – May 19, 2021 – as of 3:00 pm

COVID-19 cases (NWT)

Current Active	Location (Region)	Confirmed/Probable	Related Exposure Risks	NWT Resident
17	Yellowknife	Confirmed	Yes	Yes
1	Diavik	Confirmed	No	No
Further Details: None at this time
Hospitalizations
0

N.J. Macpherson School Outbreak/Yellowknife Cluster

COVID-19 cases

Total Confirmed	New Cases	Total Active	Recovered	Probable
70	1	17	53	0

Testing

Total Tests Done	Percent positivity	B.1.1.7 (UK Variant) Confirmed	Percentage of positive cases that are symptomatic	Percentage of positive cases younger than age 18	Mean age of positive cases younger than age 18
3426	2.0%	Yes	64 percent	84 percent	8.4 years

Public Exposure Notifications

New	Further Details
0	Please see all current public exposure notifications here: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/services/public-exposure-notifications

*UPDATE Recommendations

The NJ Macpherson outbreak/Yellowknife cluster resulted in many COVID-19 infections. The situation is improving daily, and there is no evidence of community transmission. Because of how close Yellowknife was to community transmission, however, OCPHO feels we need to remain vigilant at this time. People should make wise choices about travel in and out of affected communities (see below) based on whether the travel is necessary.

Advice	Further Details
Only essential travel in and out of Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndilǫ, and Behchokǫ̀ is recommended at this time.	The OCPHO encourages necessary travel between Yellowknife, Behchoko, Dettah, Ndilo and small communities, such as travel for medical appointments. The OCPHO encourages recreational travel, such as camping this long weekend. This is not considered travelling in and out of the communities. People should continue to follow public health orders and other guidance. Spending time in the NWT’s outdoors is very healthy!
The OCPHO is no longer advising that people work remotely	The OCPHO is no longer advising that people work from home in Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndilo and Behchoko due to the N.J. Macpherson School outbreak. Workers should continue to follow public health orders and other guidance. Workers within households that are isolating should follow advice from their public health unit. Some households may require options to work from home due to personal circumstances, the OCPHO encourages employers and employees to consider the safest options for each individual situation. Masking in indoor public spaces is still a requirement. Common areas in shared buildings are public. This includes laundry rooms, elevators, hallways, garages, basements and other areas that are not specific to your unit.

Advice

Further Details

Only essential travel in and out of Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndilǫ, and Behchokǫ̀ is recommended at this time.

The OCPHO encourages necessary travel between Yellowknife, Behchoko, Dettah, Ndilo and small communities, such as travel for medical appointments.
The OCPHO encourages recreational travel, such as camping this long weekend. This is not considered travelling in and out of the communities. People should continue to follow public health orders and other guidance. Spending time in the NWT’s outdoors is very healthy!

The OCPHO is no longer advising that people work remotely

The OCPHO is no longer advising that people work from home in Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndilo and Behchoko due to the N.J. Macpherson School outbreak. Workers should continue to follow public health orders and other guidance. Workers within households that are isolating should follow advice from their public health unit.
Some households may require options to work from home due to personal circumstances, the OCPHO encourages employers and employees to consider the safest options for each individual situation.
Masking in indoor public spaces is still a requirement.
- Common areas in shared buildings are public. This includes laundry rooms, elevators, hallways, garages, basements and other areas that are not specific to your unit.

Actions

Restriction Changes	Who it affects	Where it takes place	When it takes place
Mandatory masking	Yellowknife, Dettah and Ndilǫ residents	Yellowknife Dettah Ndilǫ	May 2, 2021
Mandatory masking	Behchokǫ̀ residents	Behchokǫ̀	May 3, 2021
School closures	Yellowknife, Dettah and Ndilǫ, and residents,	Yellowknife Dettah Ndilǫ	May 2, 2021
School closures	Behchokǫ̀ Residents	Behchokǫ̀	May 3, 2021
Partial Revocation of the Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions in Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀	Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndilǫ, and Behchokǫ̀ residents	Yellowknife Dettah Ndilǫ Behchokǫ̀	May 17, 2021
Amendment to COVID-19 Mandatory Face Mask Requirements	Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndilǫ, and Behchokǫ̀ residents	Yellowknife Dettah Ndilǫ Behchokǫ̀	May 17, 2021
Further Details: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/current-public-health-orders

Booking Testing

Testing can continue to be booked at https://www.nthssa.ca/en/covid-testing
Household members of active cases or anyone with COVID-19 symptoms must seek advice from Public Health.

Attribution

All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.

Relevant Links

COVID-19 Vaccine
PHAC- Vaccines for children
COVID-19 Variants of Concern
COVID-19 – Education and Childcare
Care in the home for people with COVID-19
PRINTABLE PDFs FOR KIDS:
- Getting Tested is Easy
- Sometimes I Don’t Feel Well

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