Public Health Advisory – November 16, 2021

YELLOWKNIFE November 16, 2021 – The Deputy Chief Public Health Officer (DCPHO) continues to monitor and evaluate the risk of COVID-19 infections spreading in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk.

Over the past week the situation in Inuvik has stabilized and active case numbers are not rising as quickly as they were at the start of the outbreak in the community. Residents appear to have taken the “Stay home. Stay Safe.” messaging to heart and have followed the restrictions laid out in the Public Health Order.

The DCPHO is announcing a change and extension to the Inuvik Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions Public Health Order (PHO). The updated order will go into effect at 5:00PM today, November 16, 2021 and extend through to 11:59PM on November 22, 2021. Under the new PHO students can return to classroom learning on November 18, 2021 but all extracurricular activities for children under the age of 12 are considered high risk and prohibited. 

In Tuktoyaktuk the number of active COVID-19 infections has continued to increase. The evidence suggests that the community has not yet reached the peak of the wave of infections in the community. Residents that test positive for COVID-19 that share housing with others are encouraged to use the isolation centre to protect their family or friends from further spread of COVID-19 infections.

The Tuktoyaktuk Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions PHO will be extended until 11:59PM on November 29, 2021. The DCPHO expects that this extension will allow for the number of active COVID-19 infections to decrease and the risk of further community spread to drop.

Non-essential travel in and out of Tuktoyaktuk is not recommended at this time. Masking in indoor public spaces is mandatory. Anyone experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate and call the health centre for additional guidance.  

Persons may direct inquiries about public health orders to ProtectNWT at protectNWT@gov.nt.ca or call 8-1-1 (in the Northwest Territories) or 1-833-378-8297. Full details and copies of the order will be available on the GNWT COVID-19 website under the Current Public Health Orders.

Attribution

All commentary is attributable to Dr. James Talbot, Deputy 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