COVID-19 GN Update - January 12, 2021

COVID-19 GN Update - January 12, 2021

Premier’s update:

Good morning. Today, there are no new cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut, and we remain at zero active cases. This is excellent news. Keep it up Nunavut! The total number of persons followed to date is 5925. There are 361 persons currently being followed.

Yesterday, we began our vaccination clinics in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven. Our clinics in Arviat and Cambridge Bay start later this week.

As we continue to announce new community-wide clinics, I encourage everyone to plan ahead for their vaccines – book your appointment or make a plan to walk-in. A great example of this community care is in Cambridge Bay, where about 60 per cent of all adults there have made appointment already!

For those who are still uncertain; I know that all the information about the vaccine can be overwhelming. I also know there is a lot of misinformation, gossip and untruth in our communities about the Moderna vaccine. Just because someone claims it is harmful, does not make it true. Please listen to health professionals, rather than people whose opinions aren’t accurate. 

This vaccine is safe and is our absolute best defense in fighting COVID-19, and it’s very, very important that as many adults as possible get vaccinated. It’s not a cure for COVID, but it will help us fight the virus and hopefully, return to some normalcy.

Please get vaccinated for yourself, your loved ones, those who can’t, your communities and for all Nunavummiut.

We all need to do our part because our actions impact everyone’s health right now. 

Stay well, get vaccinated and stay vigilant for our communities.

Chief Public Health Officer Update:

Good morning,

Yesterday, the first of our community vaccination clinics began in Igloolik and Gjoa Haven and another will start in Arviat and Cambridge Bay on Thursday. I commend the hard work health staff have done to organize and execute these clinics.

I want to recognize all Nunavummiut who have taken the opportunity to receive their vaccination. It is our best protection against COVID-19. Since announcing the vaccine’s arrival in Nunavut, we heard concerns from some communities regarding the safety of the vaccine. In response, we held community call in shows to give those who were hesitant a chance to ask questions. I want to thank all those who took the time to ask questions and learn about the vaccine so they are comfortable rolling up their sleeve.

I will tell everyone watching today the same thing I told Nunavummiut who called into those shows, the vaccine is safe and has been extensively tested. I can tell you between the vaccinations in those communities and at the long-term care centre in Iqaluit, we have not seen any serious adverse reactions.

Now that we know that a vaccine shipment of 6000 doses will arrive the week of February 15, we have moved ahead with additional clinic planning. On January 18 we will begin vaccinating priority groups in Iqaluit. Starting with elders 65 and over as well as anyone living in a shelter.  We will be doing this by appointment. People in the priority grouping can call Iqaluit Public Health 867-975-4810 for an appointment. Clinics will be held at Iqaluit Public Health, building 1091, on Monday, January 18 to Friday, January 22 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Qikiqtani General Hospital clinics side Saturday, January 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I know other communities are eager to know when they will be scheduled for vaccination clinics and we plan to release additional clinic dates in the coming days.

It has been more than two weeks since the last active case was reported in Whale Cove and Arviat. Public health restrictions in both communities have been eased. We are not yet at a point that we can declare the outbreak over, but we do believe it is safe to resume some activities. This includes an increase in gathering sizes and a return to a combination of remote and in-school learning. Daycares can also open with enhanced cleaning protocols. I know some have expressed concerns at re-opening the schools at this point. This is understandable, however evidence shows that schools can open according to the safety protocols in place. Reducing the unintended consequences that COVID-19 restrictions can have, especially on young Nunavummiut and their learning is as important as following the public health measures that aim to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

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

Upcoming Community Vaccine Clinics

Elders’ Facility clinics in communities will be focused clinics with health staff going on site to administer the vaccine. Health staff will reach out to the Elder’s facilities directly for the vaccination times and dates.

Igloolik mass clinic

• Location:  Igloolik High School.
• Date (1st Dose): January 11 and 12. 
• Date (2nd Dose) February 8–9. 
• Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Clinic Type: walk-in clinic.

Gjoa Haven mass clinic

• Location: Qiqirtaq High School. 
• Date (1st Dose): January 11 and 12.
• Date (2nd Dose): February 8–9.
• Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call 867-360-7441.

Arviat

• Location: Community Hall.
• Date (1st Dose): January 14 to 18 (excluding Sunday). 
• Date (2nd dose): Feb 11-15. 
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call 867-857-3100.

Cambridge Bay mass clinic

• Location:  Cambridge Bay Community Hall.
• Date (1st Dose): January 14 to 16 (inclusive).
• Date (2nd Dose): February 11-13.
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Clinic Type: by appointment.
• Call 867-983-4500.

Iqaluit Public Health Clinic 1

• Location: Iqaluit Public Health, building 1091.
• Date (1st Dose): January 18 to 22.
• Date (2nd dose): Pending. 
• Time: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Clinic type: by appointment. By appointment, Elders 65+ and shelter residents only.
• Call 867-975-4810.

Iqaluit Hospital Clinic 2

• Location: QGH clinic side.
• Date (1st Dose): Jan. 23.
• Date (2nd dose): Pending. 
• Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Clinic type: by appointment. By appointment, Elders 65+ and shelter residents only.
• Call 867-975-4810.

Iqaluit Elder’s Home

• Location: Elders Home.
• Date (2nd Dose): February 3.

COVID-19 case status: Jan. 12

COVID-19 community case statistics: Jan. 12

Testing stats to date per community: Jan. 12

Isolation population: 

Traveller repatriation summary:

Critical Worker Requests:

As of January 6, there were 10757 requests, 7231 of which were critical worker requests.

Department of Human Resources Services

GN offices in Arviat and Whale Cove will open to the public on January 13, 2021.

Government of Nunavut (GN) employees in Arviat and Whale Cove are returning to their GN workplaces on January 13, 2021. GN employees in all other communities returned to work on December 2, 2020.

In support of a safe and healthy workplace, and in partnership with the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) and the Worker’s Safety and Compensation Commission, the GN has developed answers to questions about returning to work, a contact list, checklists for both employees and supervisors to assess and align their GN workplace with COVID-19 health and safety protocols and COVID-19 health and safety posters in all official languages.

Department of Education

K-12 Schools

Based on the direction of the Chief Public Health Officer, as of Tuesday, January 12, 2021, schools in the communities listed below can move to the following stages:

• Arviat and Whale Cove – Stage 3
• All other Nunavut schools – Stage 2.

Updates on community stages can be found on the Department of Education website: https://gov.nu.ca/education/information/2020-21-opening-plan-nunavut-sc….

Stage 3 - Arviat and Whale Cove

Schools in Arviat and Whale Cove can open on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.

• It is expected that there may be a transition period to prepare for the return to school for students and staff.
• Elementary school students in Arviat and Whale Cove will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school three days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 3 action plan.
• Middle and high school students in Arviat and Whale Cove will have a blend of in-school and remote learning. Students will attend school two days per week. Specific schedules will be determined by each school’s Stage 3 action plan.
   

Early Learning and Child Care

As of Tuesday, January 12, 2021, child care facilities in all Nunavut communities, including Arviat and Whale Cove, can open under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS)

As of Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) office in Arviat will be open to employees under current health and safety guidelines and measures.

FANS employees are continuing to provide services including:

• Processing funding applications.
• Travel requests.
• Issuing payments.
• Responding to inquiries.

All inquiries to FANS should be emailed to @email. Response times may be slower than normal during this transition.

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.