Public Health Advisory – November 25, 2021

News Type: 
Past COVID-19 Advisories

YELLOWKNIFE November 25, 2021 – The COVID-19 situation in Tuktoyaktuk continues to be monitored by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) in order to make an informed decision about the continued need for Public Health Orders (PHOs). It is expected that the number of active infections of COVID-19 will be greater than 17 on November 29, 2021 when the current PHO is scheduled to expire. The risk of continued COVID-19 transmission is significant if the PHO is lifted while there are so many active cases in the community.

The Tuktoyaktuk Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions PHO will therefore be extended and will expire at 11:59PM on December 5, 2021. It is expected that schools can plan to re-open to in person learning the morning of December 6, 2021.

Residents in Tuktoyaktuk have done a fantastic job at working together to contain the transmission of COVID-19 in their community. By staying home and isolating as required the community has slowed the spread of COVID-19 significantly. These orders are difficult but residents are encouraged to continue to support one another through this difficult time. 

COVID-19 testing is still available through the health centre to residents that may have been in a contact with a positive COVID-19 case or are showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, even very mild symptoms. Individuals who are isolating because of an exposure also need to get tested on the 10th day after their last contact with a positive case. To book a COVID test, call the Tuktoyaktuk Health Centre: 867-977-2321 OR 867-340-0777. Transportation is available by calling 867-766-8650.

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.

The OCPHO is continuing to work with the local community Government, Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and the COVID Secretariat on supporting residents through the end of the temporary restrictions.

Residents across the Northwest Territories are reminded that the most important thing they can do to protect themselves from severe outcomes from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Please contact your local health centre to book your first, second or booster dose of the vaccine.

The booster dose increases your protection against waning vaccine effectiveness and is available to all residents 18 and older if more than six (6) months have passed since their second dose of the vaccine.

Attribution

All commentary is attributable to Dr. Kami Kandola, 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