Premier’s update:
Ullakkut,
As of this morning Nunavut has 172 positive cases of COVID-19.
We have active cases in 13 communities – the reported numbers are:
- 20 in Arviat.
- Eight Baker Lake.
- 10 in Cambridge Bay.
- Five in Chesterfield Inlet.
- 38 in Iqaluit.
- 17 in Kinngait.,
- Eight in Pangnirtung.
- One in Pond Inlet.
- Four in Qikiqtarjuaq.
- 38 in Rankin Inlet.
- One in Sanikiluaq.
- Six in Sanirajak.
- Seven in Whale Cove.
In addition, there is one presumptive case in Taloyoak. There are 26 reported recoveries today. There have been 202 total reported recoveries in this outbreak.
I am pleased to announce that we are rolling out several initiatives as part of the Government of Nunavut’s COVID-19 Response Plan. These initiatives are designed to ensure that Nunavummiut receive the supports needed to weather this outbreak.
Today, we are announcing $4 million in COVID-19 Support for Municipalities. This initiative is provided by Community and Government Services with funding from the federal government. These funds will help our municipalities provide critical services to Nunavummiut in addition to efforts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qujannamiik Minister Joanasie for this work. The Minister is here to answer any questions regarding this initiative.
I am also pleased to note that we have allocated additional COVID-19 supports for Small Businesses. Artists, craftspeople, retailers, and harvesters can apply for funding of up to $5,000 through the Small Business Support Program. For more information and assistance with applying, visit www.gov.nu.ca/sbsp and contact your local Community Economic Development Officer or Regional Economic Development Manager. This is an initiative led by Economic Development and Transportation.
Qujannamiik Minister Kusugak for this initiative. The Minister is here to answer any questions regarding this initiative.
We have also allocated almost $4.5 million to bolster our food hamper initiative. These funds will help Nunavummiut who need to isolate because of COVID-19 access essential supplies.
If you need groceries to be able to isolate safely, you can:
- email IsolationSupports@gov.nu.ca; or
- call 1-888-902-0872.
I want to thank all Nunavummiut for doing your part during the lockdown to keep our communities safe and healthy. I hope you will all continue to be vigilant as we transition to less restrictive public health measures.
Please continue to:
- Stay home when possible
- Get vaccinated
- And get your booster shot
- Wear a mask
Alert the COVID hotline and isolate if you have any symptoms. Above all, be kind and community minded – we are all in this together.
Qujannamiik.
Chief Public Health Officer Update:
Good morning,
On Monday, January 17, we will ease restrictions across the territory
Starting Monday:
- Community travel restrictions are lifted.
- Outdoor gatherings are now permitted to 25 people.
- Indoor gatherings in dwellings are now allowed up to five people, plus household members.
- Government, Inuit organizations and all other offices may open.
- Childcare facilities may open.
- Long-term care and elders’ facilities may have one visitor per resident, but masks are mandatory.
- Indoor public gatherings, including community halls and recreation centres, galleries are now limited to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity.
- Gyms and fitness centres can open to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity for solo workouts only; no group sessions.
- Libraries and galleries can open to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity; no gatherings or group tours.
- Places of worship are now permitted up to 50 people or 25 per cent capacity; no singing allowed.
- Arenas are now permitted up to 25 people or 25 per cent capacity, as well as 25 spectators. No team sports allowed. ·
- All non-essential businesses may open, including personal services such as hair dressers.
- Taxis may have one fare per trip, with mandatory masks.
- Group counselling sessions are now open to 10 people.
- Parks and playgrounds may open, but buildings remain closed.
- Restaurants and licensed establishments remain restricted to take-out only, with a maximum of 10 people in line.
- Schools will be opening January 24
Masks remain mandatory in every community and non-essential travel remains highly discouraged.
In order to continue on this path to eased restrictions, I urge all Nunavummiut to follow the public health measures, get vaccinated and keep physical distance. Following the measures together will get us to the end of this outbreak.
I also want to clarify how our new testing protocols will work moving forward. While we will limit the amount of testing we do, we will still test certain individuals. In some cases, we will rely on symptoms to diagnose COVID-19. Whether you are diagnosed with COVID with a test or not, you will be informed of the diagnosis and minimum number of days that you will need to isolate.
I want to thank all Nunavummiut for their cooperation and patience during this latest outbreak. Please continue to follow the public health measures, as these help protect everyone.
Thank you.
As part of the Government of Nunavut’s (GN) effort to protect Nunavummiut against the risk of COVID-19, GN Departments are implementing the following:
Department of Health Services
For all the latest information and resources about COVID-19 in Nunavut, go to:
https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
For the latest information on current public health restrictions, go to:
https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/nunavuts-path
For information on upcoming vaccine clinics go to:
https://gov.nu.ca/health/information/covid-19-vaccination
COVID-19 case status: January 13, 2022
| Total Tests | Total confirmed cases | Total active cases | Total recovered cases | Deaths | Total persons vaccinated with at least one dose in Nunavut | Total persons vaccinated with two doses in Nunavut |
| 27,246 | 1,048 | 172 | 872 | 4 | 31,227 | 24,998 |
COVID-19 community case statistics: January 13, 2022
| Community |
COVID-19 status |
Time period |
Public case count yesterday (TOTAL) |
Public case count today (TOTAL) | Change from yesterday (cases) | Cumulative Recovered | Change from yesterday (recoveries) | Total Active Cases |
| Coral Harbour | Ongoing | Since 9 Jan 2022 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Whale Cove | Ongoing | Since 7 Jan 2022 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Sanikiluaq | Ongoing | Since 4 Jan 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kinngait | Ongoing | Since 01/02/2022 | 23 | 24 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 17 |
| Pond Inlet | Ongoing | Since 01/01/2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Chesterfield Inlet | Ongoing | Since 01/01/2022 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Cambridge Bay | Ongoing | Since 12/30/2021 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 10 |
| Igloolik | Ongoing |
Since 12/29/2021 |
18 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Baker Lake | Ongoing | Since 12/29/2021 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
|
Arviat |
Ongoing | Since 12/29/2021 | 64 | 64 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 20 |
| Sanirajak | Ongoing |
Since 12/29/2021 |
17 | 17 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 6 |
| Qikiqtarjuaq | Ongoing |
Since 12/28/2021 |
7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Rankin Inlet | Ongoing |
Since 12/23/2021 |
68 | 71 | 3 | 33 | 1 | 38 |
| Pangnirtung | Ongoing |
Since 12/23/2021 |
26 | 26 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 8 |
| Iqaluit | Ongoing | Since 11/04/2021 | 96 | 96 | 0 | 58 | 11 | 38 |
| TOTAL | 361 | 374 | 13 | 202 | 26 | 172 |
COVID-19 vaccination status: January 10, 2022
Details/Limitations:
This information shows the number of doses given in a community as of January 11, 2022. The percentage of vaccine administered is vaccine administered divided by the Nunavut population estimate for 18 and older.
Territorial totals for doses are an accurate summary. The community level data is under review to ensure appropriate attribution. Community totals will be adjusted as needed. This may lead to minor fluctuations in the percentages by community.
Doses are typically attributed to the community in which they are administered.
Total doses given will include residents and non-residents, including rotational workers.
Multiple communities represent individuals who received doses in two separate communities, or in communities that are not their place of residence.
An individual may have received dose 1 and/or dose 2 outside of their community of residence.
This does not account for people who may have been vaccinated partially or fully out of territory.
A high percentage in one community does not equal herd immunity. There is no established or defined percentage of what herd immunity is for COVID-19. Whatever herd immunity may be it cannot achieved with current vaccine approvals (e.g. no vaccine available for children under twelve).
Source:
Statistics Canada, Demography Division, Special tabulations. Prepared by: Nunavut Bureau of Statistics, January 27, 2021.
Dose numbers are from the Department of Health's Meditech system.
Eligible adults in community are defined as the number of individuals 18 and older as per the 2020 population estimates.
The community population estimates are "non-official" since they are not based on components of population growth (births, deaths and migration). They should be used with caution.
Testing stats to date per community: January 13, 2022
| Community |
Tests done |
Tests Positive | Tests Negative |
| Coral Harbour (Since 9 Jan 2022) | 43 | 9 | 34 |
| Whale Cove ( Since 7 Jan 2022) | 24 | 8 | 16 |
| Sanikiluaq (Since 4 Jan 2022) | 13 | 1 | 12 |
| Kinngait (Since 2 January 2022) | 86 | 24 | 62 |
| Pond Inlet (Since 1 January 2022) | 45 | 1 | 44 |
| Chesterfield Inlet (Since 1 January 2022) | 36 | 5 | 31 |
| Cambridge bay (Since 30 December 2021) | 110 | 18 | 92 |
| Igloolik (Since 29 December) | 174 | 18 | 156 |
| Baker Lake (Since 29 December) | 59 | 9 | 50 |
| Arviat (Since 29 December) | 247 | 64 | 183 |
| Sanirajak (Since 29 December) | 123 | 17 | 106 |
| Qikiqtarjuaq (Since 28 December) | 89 | 7 | 82 |
| Rankin Inlet (Since 23 December) | 647 | 72 | 575 |
| Pangnirtung (Since 23 December 2021) | 387 | 26 | 361 |
| Iqaluit (Since 23 December 2021) | 1372 | 97 | 1275 |
*Please note: These numbers change frequently. Every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date and complete, but it may not reflect all persons followed or tested.
** Confirmed cases include those meeting the national case definitions.
***There may be a delay reporting attribution and statistics from cases acquired in Southern Canada. 12 cases that were detected out of territory have been attributed to Nunavut. This includes 3 deaths. Not all NU residents with COVID-19 detected out of territory will be attributed to Nunavut.
Isolation population:
| Traveler Type | Guests in Isolation as of January 12 |
| Medical | 38 |
| Public | 9 |
| EMTI | 2 |
| Construction | 0 |
| Total | 49 |
Traveller repatriation summary:
| Departure Date | # of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites |
| Jan. 13, 2022 | 1 |
| Jan. 14, 2022 | 2 |
| Jan. 15, 2022 | 0 |
| Jan. 16, 2022 | 2 |
| Jan. 17, 2022 | 1 |
| Total | 6 |
Department of Education Services
New developments:
K-12 Schools
- Unless directed otherwise by the CPHO, school staff will return to school on January 17 to provide remote instruction the week of January 17 and prepare for the return of students on January 24.
- Staff should contact students and provide learning packages and/or devices to students during the week of January 17.
- All schools have been provided with CPHO-approved procedures for the safe distribution and collection of learning packages and devices for assessment.
- The CPHO has advised that when schools re-open to students on January 24, they will be at either 100% capacity or 50% capacity, depending on the nature of COVID-19 transmission in their community.
- Schools in the following communities will open at 50% student capacity: Iqaluit, Kinngait, Arviat, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay
- Schools in all other communities will open at 100% student capacity
- The return to school could change at any time based on the direction of the CPHO.
- School leaders have been advised that all schools must be prepared with cohort plans in place to pivot to 50% capacity at short notice if advised by the CPHO.
- Schools will communicate to students and families regarding their school’s status and cohort plans.
- Schools have been provided with large volumes of disposable medical-grade child and adult masks.
Early Learning and Child Care
- Child care facilities are permitted to reopen on January 17 to all children.
- The status of child care facilities could change at any time based on the direction of the CPHO.
Ongoing services:
- Questions about FANS benefits can be sent to fans@gov.nu.ca.
- Students with questions about their FANS-eligible travel can contact fanstravel@gov.nu.ca for information.
- The Department of Education’s updated school health and safety plans and supports can be found at: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2021-22-opening-plan-nunavut-sch....
Adjusted services:
- Response times from the FANS office may be delayed due to active COVID-19 cases in Arviat.
Closed/Cancelled/Suspended Services:
K-12 Schools
- All K-12 schools will be closed to students until January 24, 2022, or as advised by the CPHO.
- January diploma exams for Nunavut students have been cancelled. Students who were scheduled to write a diploma exam in January 2022 will instead receive an exemption and their school mark will stand for 100% of their overall mark.
Early Learning and Child Care
- The Government of Nunavut has asked child care facilities to re-open for children of critical industry workers.
- Critical industry workers include those positions crucial to the health and safety of Nunavummiut, including those in healthcare, municipal services, retail, and airlines.
Nunavummiut’s health is our shared responsibility! Remember: wash your hands and surfaces, practice social distancing, listen to the advice of health officials, and stay home if you’re sick.