Public Health Advisory - September 13, 2021

News Type: 
Past COVID-19 Advisories

YELLOWKNIFE September 13, 2021 – The outbreak in Yellowknife and the surrounding communities of Dettah and N’Dilo has continued to increase in intensity with expanding populations affected. At this point, due to the volume of new infections, Yellowknife Public Health is not able to complete testing and contact tracing in a timely fashion that would reliably prevent further transmission at schools.

The increase in COVID-19 activity in Yellowknife risks the safety of our students, especially those under the age of 12 who are not eligible for vaccination.  At 5:00PM today, the Chief Public Health Officer is updating the Gathering Limitations Order issued on September 9, 2021, to order the temporary closure of all schools in Dettah, N’Dilo and Yellowknife. The order is in effect until 11:59PM on September 24, 2021.  JK-12 schools will shift to online learning.

This order affects JK-12 students, colleges and trade schools. Day homes and daycares are exempt from this order and may remain open under existing plans approved by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO).

A second Public Health Order will go into effect today clearly clarifying isolation requirements for persons who test positive for COVID-19. 

The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) recommends that employees in these three communities work remotely while the gathering order is in effect until September 24, 2021.

Please adhere to the following guidance:

  • Keeping gatherings small, less than 25 indoors and less than 50 outdoors.
  • Limit household gatherings to a maximum of 10 people, and no more than 5 outside of the immediate household.  Seek permission before visiting with an elder and wear a mask even if visiting indoors
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Avoid all non-essential travel in and out of Dettah, N’Dilo and Yellowknife at this time
  • If you have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 immediately self-isolate and contact Public Health to arrange for testing
  • If you are traveling from communities with community transmission to a small NWT community, CPHO recommends that you get tested on arrival and again on day 8.
  • Please get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so and are 12 years of age and older

This is a very significant shift in the GNWT’s response to the threat of COVID-19. 

School closures will place a significant burden on families. If you have the capacity to help please reach out to your neighbours and fellow community members and help one another out where it is needed.     

Click to review the updated Public Health Orders. 

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