YELLOWKNIFE November 8, 2021 – Later today in the Daily COVID-19 Case Update four (4) positive infections of COVID-19 will be identified in the community of Tuktoyaktuk. When cases are identified in a community after a long period of time without any active infections people can be anxious or fearful. The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer emphasizes that this is a time for caution and common sense. The appropriate responses are in place and residents are encouraged to take positive actions to control their risks. 

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) has deployed a Rapid Response Team to the community to assist in all areas in response to the current situation but specifically in increasing testing capacity and contact tracing investigations. NTHSSA is also providing remote public health support.

The four (4) positive COVID-19 infections in Tuktoyaktuk are currently identified as a cluster and all are isolating safely. Contact tracing is underway by Public Health who will provide contacts with the necessary advice and guidance of the next steps. At this time there is no evidence of community transmission in Tuktoyaktuk. Please follow the advice of your health care provider. 

It can be concerning to know that positive infections of COVID-19 have appeared in your community. The GNWT is responding appropriately in the community in efforts to keep the risks to the public low. All residents are encouraged to continue practicing healthy habits, wash your hands, wear a mask in indoor public spaces and keep distance between your household groups. The Chief Public Health Officer continues to recommend vaccination as the most effective way to protect yourself, your family members and community against infection and severe outcomes from a COVID-19 infection. 

If risks to the public are identified during the contact tracing investigation they will be communicated in a timely manner by either directly contacting known individuals or if any exposures take place that may include unknown individuals they will be communicated through the public exposures page on the GNWT’s COVID-19 Response website.

Please stay calm and continue to monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. If you experience any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 please isolate immediately and reach out to the health centre to arrange for testing. If you are not yet fully vaccinated please consider making an appointment to receive your first, second or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Exposure Notifications

Current exposure locations in the community of Tuktoyaktuk are listed on the chart below. If additional public locations are identified, as mentioned above, they will be posted to the GNWT’s COVID-19 Response website.

Attribution

All commentary is attributable to Dr. James Talbot, Acting Deputy Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories.

Relevant links

• NWT COVID-19 Dashboard
• GNWT Daily COVID-19 Symptom Check
• Travel Hotspots
• Delta Variant FAQs
• GWNT COVID-19 website
• Vaccination Bookings

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