Chief Public Health Officer speaks to COVID-19 case on inbound aircraft to Iqaluit

Statement

Chief Public Health Officer speaks to COVID-19 case on inbound aircraft to Iqaluit

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Mike Patterson today released the following statement:

“At approximately 12:30 p.m. today, Department of Health staff will meet a passenger travelling on Canadian North flight FAB101 from Ottawa to Iqaluit. The passenger had been on expedited medical travel starting on January 17. A COVID-19 test performed on January 18 in Ottawa came back positive this morning, after the flight had departed.

The passenger is asymptomatic and doing well. As a precaution, the individual will be taken to Qikiqtani General Hospital and isolated. A follow-up COVID-19 test will be performed to rule out the possibility of a false positive. We are expecting the test results later this afternoon.

In the meantime, out of an abundance of caution, all flight passengers will be asked to  remain on the secure side of the Iqaluit airport until test results are confirmed this afternoon. I would like to remind Nunavummiut that the risk of transmission in an aircraft is very low.

Anyone who develops symptoms is asked to contact the COVID-19 hotline for direction at 1-888-975-8601.

An update will be provided as new information becomes available.”

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Media Contact:

Chris Puglia
Acting Manager Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email