Public Health Advisory – January 6, 2022

News Type: 
Past COVID-19 Advisories

YELLOWKNIFE January 6, 2022 – The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has identified several communities that are either currently experiencing or showing evidence of imminent community transmission. These communities are: Aklavik, Behchokǫ̀, Fort Providence, Hay River, Whatì, and Yellowknife including Ndilǫ and Dettah.

Due to the rapid increase in the number of infections it is expected that additional communities will be added to this list in the coming days. As communities are identified as experiencing community transmission, the advice and recommendations provided below will extend to that community. Additional communities will be identified, as needed, via Public Service Announcements moving forward.

In the past 24 hours, 170 new infections of COVID-19, assumed to be the Omicron variant, have been identified in the Northwest Territories (NWT). This is the highest number of infections ever recorded in a 24 hour period in the NWT. There are COVID-19 infections in all regions of the NWT impacting more than half of our communities. 

In the communities listed above the Chief Public Health Officer has updated strong recommendations for NWT employers and residents listed below for the duration of the Temporary Partial Suspension of Gathering Orders – Northwest Territories.

  • It is recommended that where possible large employers allow employees to work from home.
  • Schools do not offer or provide in-class learning opportunities. Schools should pivot to remote learning.
  • Internal non-essential travel within the NWT in and out of the above mentioned communities should be avoided.
  • For those travelling into the NWT, the “Know What to do For 72” advice and recommendations apply. 

These recommendations are intended to limit interactions between employees, students and residents to slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout the NWT. Omicron is very infectious and will likely continue to spread. Slowing the spread can help reduce the impact on our health care system as it reduces the potential number of residents requiring medical assistance in a short period of time.

If you are sick, stay home. If you are diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection, isolate in the place where you are staying. It is very likely that members of your household, or the one you are a guest in, are already exposed and will develop an infection as well. If you are hosting a friend or family member in your home, please allow them to isolate with you if they become sick or diagnosed with COVID-19. This can help reduce the spread to other households in your community.

Attribution

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

Relevant links

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