Second Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Northwest Territories

News Type: 
Past COVID-19 Advisories

YELLOWKNIFE 1 April 2020 – The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) confirms a second case of COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories.

The individual is self-isolated in their home in Inuvik along with members of their household. They are doing well with mild symptoms and it is not expected hospitalization will be required.

Our investigation determines the individual traveled to British Columbia. They returned to Inuvik on March 21 and went into immediate self-isolation per the order.

They developed symptoms five days after their return and showed no symptoms during their flight back. The entire household has been under mandatory isolation along with them since March 21.

This represents an example all residents must follow in the coming weeks in complying with public health orders to limit the spread of this virus, in our territory.

The public is being notified of the community because the size of Inuvik allows for appropriate privacy protection.

Testing Efforts

The Chief Public Health Officer of the Northwest Territories has mandated an aggressive testing strategy to identify and respond to the spread of COVID-19 across the Northwest Territories.

The Northwest Territories is testing at a higher rate than almost anywhere in Canada. 

The Chief Public Health Officer indicates this is the territory’s strongest weapon in tracking and containing the virus.

To date, 979 COVID-19 tests have been completed in the NWT with two positive cases.

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