Premier’s update:
Ullakkut,
I am saddened to begin this announcement on a sombre note. Last night one Nunavummiut passed away due to COVID-19. This is our first casualty in this wave. My thoughts are with their family and community.
As of this morning Nunavut has 177 positive cases of COVID-19. We have active cases in 17 communities – the reported numbers are:
- 32 in Arviat,
- 33 in Baker Lake,
- 11 in Cambridge Bay,
- One in Chesterfield Inlet,
- 13 in Coral Harbour,
- Zero in Igloolik
- 11 in Iqaluit,
- Two in Gjoa Haven,
- 21 in Kinngait,
- Two in Kugaaruk,
- 11 in Naujaat,
- Two in Pangnirtung,
- One in Pond Inlet,
- Zero in Qikiqtarjuaq,
- 17 in Rankin Inlet,
- Three in Sanirajak,
- 11 in Sanikiluaq,
- Four in Taloyoak, and
- Two in Whale Cove.
Recovery data was not reported today. There have been 370 total reported recoveries in this outbreak.
Today, we are announcing another initiative as part of the Government of Nunavut’s COVID-19 Response Plan. We are providing $375,000 in additional funding for community radios in Nunavut. Each community radio station will be eligible for $15,000. Community radios are a lifeline in our territory – helping in disseminate essential public health information. This funding can be used to cover operating expenses such as salaries and the purchase of equipment. For more information, please contact the Department of Culture and Heritage at chfunds@gov.nu.ca or call the toll-free number at 1-866-934-2035.
Qujannamiik Minister Quassa for this work.
The Minister is here to answer any questions regarding this initiative.
I am also pleased to announce that we have heard from the federal government regarding our other COVID-19 asks. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, issued a response to our letter late last week.
The federal government has provided Nunavut with:
- Three additional nurses, all with previous experience working in Nunavut; and
- Nine contact tracers – these are Statistics Canada employees.
The housing gap and overcrowding in our communities, continues to escalate the spread of COVID-19 and Tuberculosis in Nunavut. I urge our federal partners to collaborate with us to identify a pathway to addressing Nunavut’s housing needs.
I want to remind Nunavummiut to stay vigilant as we return to offices this week.
Please continue to:
- Stay home when possible.
- Stick to your small bubble.
- Get vaccinated.
- And get your booster shot.
- Wear a mask.
- Alert the COVID hotline and isolate if you have any symptoms.
As always be kind – we are all in this together. Qujannamiik.
Minister of Health Update:
Good morning,
Yesterday, the new public health measures came into effect. We have increased gathering sizes, allowed businesses to open and removed the travel restrictions between Nunavut communities. I urge people to continue to follow the restrictions, get vaccinated and only travel when absolutely necessary. This outbreak isn’t over and we all need to do our part to ensure the number of active cases continues to drop.
I am happy to report that all Nunavut Elders who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at Embassy West have recovered from the virus. As of yesterday, there were four essential caregivers from Nunavut at Embassy West along with two family members who live in Ottawa providing assistance with essential care. Another caregiver from the territory will be arriving later this week.
Elders at the Andy Aulatjut Centre in Arviat continue to be COVID free and there have been no new infections among staff. The centre has also received additional PPE such as N95 mask, visors and surgical mask to help with infection control.
On January 13, two staff members at the Gjoa Haven Continuing Care Centre tested positive for COVID-19. So far there none of the nine elders at the centre have tested positive and have not shown signs of symptoms. We will continue to test and monitor the elders.
Staffing at all our elders’ facilities remains adequate.
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 statistics to date: January 17, 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 |
| 27,614 | 1,222 | 177 | 1,040 | 5 | 31,623 | 52,197 |
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 |
| Naujaat | Ongoing | Since 15 Jan 2022 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Kugaaruk | Ongoing | Since 14 Jan 2022 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Gjoa Haven | Ongoing | Since 14 Jan 2022 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Taloyoak | Ongoing | Since 11 Jan 2022 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Coral Harbour | Ongoing | Since 9 Jan 2022 | 13 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| Whale Cove | Ongoing | Since 7 Jan 2022 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 2 |
| Sanikiluaq | Ongoing | Since 4 Jan 2022 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| Kinngait | Ongoing | Since 01/02/2022 | 47 | 47 | 0 | 26 | 18 | 21 |
| Pond Inlet | Ongoing | Since 01/01/2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Chesterfield Inlet | Ongoing | Since 01/01/2022 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Cambridge Bay | Ongoing | Since 12/30/2021 | 34 | 41 | 7 | 30 | 22 | 11 |
| Igloolik | Ongoing |
Since 12/29/2021 |
18 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Baker Lake | Ongoing | Since 12/29/2021 | 26 | 34 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 33 |
|
Arviat |
Ongoing | Since 12/29/2021 | 114 | 114 | 0 | 82 | 24 | 32 |
| Sanirajak | Ongoing |
Since 12/29/2021 |
19 | 20 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 3 |
| Qikiqtarjuaq | Ongoing |
Since 12/28/2021 |
7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Rankin Inlet | Ongoing |
Since 12/23/2021 |
71 | 71 | 0 | 54 | 10 | 17 |
| Pangnirtung | Ongoing |
Since 12/23/2021 |
26 | 26 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 2 |
| Iqaluit | Ongoing | Since 11/04/2021 | 102 | 105 | 3 | 94 | 18 | 11 |
| TOTAL | 521 | 548 | 27 | 370 | 117 | 117 |
*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.
COVID-19 vaccination status: January 17, 2022
Details/Limitations:
This information shows the number of doses given in a community as of January 17, 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.
Isolation population:
| Traveler Type | Guests in Isolation as of January 17 |
| Medical | 48 |
| Public | 8 |
| EMTI | 4 |
| Construction | 0 |
| Total | 56 |
Traveller repatriation summary:
| Departure Date | # of Travellers from Health Isolation Sites |
| Jan. 18, 2022 | 0 |
| Jan. 19, 2022 | 3 |
| Jan. 20, 2022 | 5 |
| Jan. 21, 2022 | 0 |
| Jan. 22, 2022 | 0 |
| Total | 8 |
New developments in your programs/ services: Kitikmeot Region
- Kugluktuk health centre on emergency services (due to short staffing).
- Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay and Kugaaruk health centres on emergency services due to COVID-19 in community.
Ongoing services:
- Specialty clinics, MD visits and dental clinics.
Adjusted services:
- Orthodontist charter postponed due to COVID-19.
- Some non-urgent medical travel appointments postponed.
- Some Yellowknife surgeries cancelled until further notice.
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
- Rehabilitation team community visits suspended until further notice.
Special Operations Division
New developments in your programs/ services:
- ‘Swab-Air’ has been reinstated to support timely turn-around of swabs.
- Booster clinics for 12-17 year olds have commenced.
- Dose 2 vaccine clinics for 5-11 year olds commencing next week.
- Working with partners at CGS to distribute 250,000 level 3 masks to Hamlets. Masks are product of an RFA submitted in December.
Ongoing services:
- Vaccine appointment for 12+ are ongoing across the territory.
Department of Family Services
New developments in your programs/ services:
All DFS services / Family Wellness Division continue to be available 24/7. The non-urgent support is provided by distance and online. Emergencies are attended to in person, following COVID guidelines.
Ongoing services:
Continued provision of services 24/7 accessed by on-call number.
Adjusted services:
In person and walk-ins have been suspended for non-emergency situations.
Closed /Cancelled/Suspended services:
Office is closed.
Department of Education Services
Ongoing services:
FANS
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.
Early Learning and Child Care
Child care facilities are permitted to reopen on January 17 to all children.
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.
Department of Human Resources Services
New developments in your programs/services:
Yesterday, Government of Nunavut offices re-opened to its employees. GN offices remain closed to the public.
From January 17 to 31, in support of a safe and healthy workplace and to reduce the spread of COVID-19, all GN employees are encouraged to continue working from home as much as possible and only go to the workplace if required. Supervisors are expected to be as flexible as possible while ensuring that operational requirements are met.
Ongoing services:
All current staffing competitions will continue and resumés for casual positions and current competitions can continue to be submitted by email, but staffing offices are closed to the public.
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.