As of Monday, there were eight active cases of COVID-19 in Arviat, which remains under a lockdown. (File image)
Active COVID-19 cases continue to drop in Arviat, lockdown remains in place
‘We are on the right path to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the territory,’ says Dr. Patterson
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Arviat has dropped to eight, the Government of Nunavut announced Monday.
That’s the lowest number of active cases the hard-hit community of about 3,000 has seen in several weeks.
On Friday, Arviat had 26 active cases.
Despite two new infections declared since then, the positive caseload has dropped, prompting an optimistic comment from Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s chief public health officer.
“We are on the right path to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the territory,” Patterson said Monday in a news release. “Today, as we see more people recover, it is important to remind Nunavummiut that public health measures are still in place and must be followed by everyone.”
All individuals are doing well, are isolating at home and contact tracing is ongoing, the release said.
The GN has recorded more COVID-19 cases in Arviat than in any other community in Nunavut. Since last November, Arviat has seen 314 out of the 358 infections declared to date in the territory.
To contain the outbreak, the hamlet declared a local state of emergency and a two-week lockdown on Feb. 24.
Travel in and out of Arviat remains restricted, unless for emergency or essential purposes.
Arviammiut who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can call their health centre for an appointment.
To date, 7,402 Nunavummiut have received at least one dose of the Moderna vaccine, the GN said Monday.
Anyone who has reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 should 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,” the GN said.
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