34 new cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut
News Release
34 new cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut
Iqaluit, Nunavut (November 17, 2020) – As of today, Nunavut has a total of 60 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Eight cases have been confirmed in Whale Cove. An additional 26 new cases have been identified in Arviat, bringing the community’s number of positive cases to 46. All individuals are in isolation and doing well. A Rapid Response Team is currently supporting public health staff in Whale Cove remotely.
“One of the cases in Whale Cove is linked to the Arviat outbreak, which led to transmission to the other seven individuals. Contact tracing in all impacted communities continues,” said Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut's Chief Public Health Officer. “The last week has shown us just how quickly COVID-19 spreads. This rate and reach of transmission will continue to grow if we don’t each do our part. Nunavummiut need to follow the public health measures to help contain the spread of the virus.”
There is currently no evidence of community transmission in Whale Cove, as the current cases can be linked to Arviat. Rankin Inlet remains at four positive cases and Sanikiluaq remains at two positive cases.
As of November 16, 65 tests have been done in Sanikiluaq with negative results. In Rankin Inlet, 45 tests have come back negative. Arviat testing has yielded 63 negative tests. Testing in Whale Cove is ongoing.
Nunavummiut must do their part to help contain the spread of the virus – limit your contacts with other people, wear a mask when outside your home, do not go visiting, wash your hands, keep physical distance whenever possible, do not shake hands, and always stay home if you feel sick. Anyone who has travelled from or through Arviat since November 2 must immediately isolate for 14 days. Individual actions can impact everyone’s health.
Anyone who has reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 is advised to call the COVID-hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST, or notify their community health centre right away, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days. Please do not go to the health centre in person.
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.
An update will be provided at a press conference at 11 a.m. EST, Wednesday, November 18.
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Media Contacts
Cate Macleod
Press Secretary to Premier Savikataaq
867-975-5059
@email
Chris Puglia
A/Manager Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email