2 COVID-19 cases found in Kinngait; Arviat schools reopen
Public health officials say Dorset Suites possible point of Kinngait exposure
The Government of Nunavut’s COVID-19 hotline has been operated by Calian, an Ottawa-based health and information technology company, since August, under a three-year, $3 million agreement. (File photo)
Two people in Kinngait have tested positive for COVID-19, Nunavut’s chief public health officer said on Monday.
Dr. Michael Patterson says anybody who dined or stayed at Dorset Suites on or after Sept. 8 should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. Those who develop symptoms are asked to call Nunavut’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-975-8601 or call the community’s health centre.
As well, people who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated who left Kinngait after Sept. 13 should isolate for 14 days, a Government of Nunavut news release states.
Travel in and out of the community is not recommended while public health officials continue contact tracing to determine the source of the infection.
Meanwhile in Arviat, last week’s presumptive positive case that shut down schools and daycares in the community Sept. 17 has tested negative in a Rankin Inlet lab.
“Because the confirmatory swab was taken towards the end of the infections period, it is not possible to confirm that the IDNow test was a false positive,” states a news release from Patterson.
Schools and daycares have been allowed to reopen in Arviat as of Monday.
Public health officials will continue contact tracing and testing to rule out any possible hidden COVID-19 transmission in the community.
Several public health measures are in place in both Kinngait and Arviat, including:
- A limit of 50 people for outdoor gatherings
- Indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people, plus household members
- Places of worship, gyms, fitness centres, libraries, galleries and other indoor public places are limited to 25 people or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is less
- No group tours, group workouts, or singing in public places
- Gatherings in arenas are limited to 50 people or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is less, and team sports are not allowed
- Restaurants and bars are limited to 25 per cent capacity
- Group counselling sessions are limited to 10 people
- Parks are open but buildings are closed
- School and daycares are open, with mandatory masking
- People in long-term care and elders’ facilities can have two immediate family members visit per resident. People over four years old must be masked.
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