Case Counts as of 12:00 pm

YELLOWKNIFE September 1, 2021 – The Office of Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) is announcing 14 new cases of COVID-19 in the NWT since August 31st.  The total number of recent cases has increased to 347.  There are 123 active cases among residents in the territory plus two active out of territory cases and, one death.  A total of 221 cases have resolved - 219 NWT residents and two out of territory cases.

Community Breakdown

Cumulative Hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic is 10, of which 90% were unvaccinated and of which six are associated with the current community transmissions. 

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(link is external)

New Public Health Exposure Locations for September 1, 2021

There are no new public exposure notifications for today. 

At this time a low level of community transmission is occurring in Yellowknife.  Identifying all of the possible public exposure sites in the community is not currently possible.  All high risk public exposures will be identified and communicated about in Yellowknife but we encourage residents to treat all public spaces as possible exposure sites.  Wear a mask in all indoor public places, keep your gatherings small and outdoors where possible, and wash

For a full list of all CURRENT public exposure notifications: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/services/public-exposure-notifications

Public Health Orders

https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/current-public-health-orders

NWT Wide Order

A NWT wide masking order went into effect on August 26th that applies to all indoor public spaces. 

A visual explanation of the order can be viewed on our website: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/sites/covid/files/resources/cv19_indoor_public_spaces.pdf

Norman Wells

An update to the Public Health Order goes into effect today (September 1, 2021) at 6:00PM. A local containment order is in effect for Norman Wells that went into effect August 25th at 8:00AM.  This order will be extended for an additional 10 days through to September 10, 2021.

The CPHO has amended the local containment order for Norman Wells with updated isolation requirements for people who have tested positive for COVID-19, their contacts and anyone showing symptoms of COIVD-19.

The updated order is reflective of guidance provided by health care providers. For additional information please review the PHO here: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/effective-september-1-2021-norman-wells-temporary-c ovid-19-restrictions

Fort Good Hope/Colville Lake

Local containment orders were extended in Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake to 11:59PM on September 4, 2021.  At this point in time there is no intent to extend these orders after they expire.

Self-Isolation instructions for residents: https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/residents-fort-good-hope-and-colville-lake-who-are-currently-those-communities

Yellowknife

We have a low level of community transmission in Yellowknife where links to outbreak clusters or cases cannot be ascertained. We are monitoring the situation carefully. 

A student who attends École St. Patrick High School and a student who attended École Sir John Franklin School have tested positive for COVID-19. The two cases are unrelated and the infections were not acquired at school.  Due to the use of masks in all school settings the risk of transmission is low. Schools will be contacting affected students directly. Public Health will recommend that vaccinated students who are known contacts should be tested and continue on with classroom learning while monitoring for symptoms.  Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated students who are known contacts will shift to e-learning for 10 days while monitoring for symptoms and testing is recommended.

Health Service Updates

Temporary visitation suspension at Stanton Territorial Hospital extended 48 hours(link is external)

The temporary visitation restriction at Stanton Territorial Hospital has been extended through to 8:00AM Thursday, September 2. Please note that there are some exemptions to visitation for medical escorts, including pediatric patients, labouring mothers, and cases involving palliative care. 

Current Service Level Update: 

https://www.nthssa.ca/en/newsroom/public-notice-service-level-updates-sahtu-dehcho-and-yellowknife-regions(link is external)

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.

Assisting northerners manage their mental health is important as we continue to respond the COVID-19 pandemic. If you wish to speak with someone the NWT Community Counselling Program provides on-the-ground access to mental health services in all of the regions. For more information or to contact the counselor in your community please visit our website: https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-community-counselling-program-ccp.

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 EMOs are working with community governments to address needs as they arise.

Attribution

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

Relevant links

• NWT COVID-19 Dashboard(link is external)
• Travel Hotspots
• Delta Variant FAQs
• GWNT COVID-19 website
• Vaccination Bookings(link is external)

Media Contact

Richard Makohoniuk
Manager, COVID Communications
COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
richard_makohoniuk@gov.nt.ca