City of Iqaluit forms COVID-19 task force
“We are prepared to adapt and respond as the situation changes”
Today the City of Iqaluit joined a long list of other communities and levels of government in instituting measures aimed at preventing the further spread of COVID-19. (File photo)
The City of Iqaluit has taken measures to protect its residents and workers from COVID-19, it announced on Friday afternoon.
The news comes after numerous other communities and levels of government have instituted their own precautionary measures.
“The city is actively monitoring and taking steps to help protect the health of the community,” said Mayor Kenny Bell in a news release.
“We are prepared to adapt and respond as the situation changes.”
Although no cases have been reported within the territory, COVID-19, a novel coronavirus, has infected over 120,000 people globally since first being discovered in China in December.
According to the World Health Organization’s website, “Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS),” the latter of which Nunavut prepared for in 2003.
To deal with a potential outbreak of COVID-19, the city has created a take force dedicated to coordinating its prevention and, should the need arise, response.
The city has also committed to increasing cleaning measures in all municipal facilities and workplaces, which will remain open for the time being, though some recreation programs have been cancelled as a precaution.
Essential services, such as water and sewer delivery and garbage pick-up, and emergency services will continue as normal.
Heeding the Government of Nunavut’s recent recommendations, the city has also cancelled all non-essential work travel effective immediately.
While the municipal and territorial measures are important, Bell acknowledged that the public also has a role to play.
“It is important for residents to be aware of how to help themselves and their families from the risk of exposure.”
For more information on how to protect yourself, visit the GN Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.
The provinces are closing their schools. Why aren’t we?
Don t forget to stockpile toilet paper.
The problem is that the kids at school can get the virus. They likely won’t get very sick but they can still spread it to other kids or their teachers. Then, they might go home and infect their parents or grandparents.
What is the plan if a blizzard hits and trucked water is suspended under a hand washing territory wide advisory? What is plan b???
Melt ice for water.
No, if no ice, use snow
Australia has many caseses of COVID-19. There were High School Students from Iqaluit and their Teachers that just returned from Australia. Why have they not been instructed to stay at home for 14 days as a precaution? Some of those students have jobs as well. They should have been asked to self isolate just as the GN workers that were in Toronto. Be proactive!!!!
Genuinely curious how you know that they were in Australia? I can’t seem to find anything on it, nor do I have any close relation with anyone in high school.
I too, am concerned if they were in fact in Australia very recently why they haven’t set them for isolation.
Thank you
All people who have the virus are not going to die. Those who survive will have something against the virus. A defense.
Small consolation to the people who lose a parent or spouse to the illness.
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The fact is that children seem to have few symptoms, and so far there have been no deaths to children under 10 years old. The illness is a little more severe with adults, ranging from few symptoms to fever and coughing for those under 40.
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Once you get over 40 it’s more serious but up to 60 it’s rarely fatal. Over 60 is when the real mortality kicks in, over 70 it’s very serious and over 80 fatalities run over 10%.
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Here’s the important point, anyone can contract the virus and spread it to the more vulnerable. Wash your hands, stay away from crowds, isolate as much as possible. Don’t spread the virus to someone that the virus will kill.
“Once you get over 40 it’s more serious but up to 60 it’s rarely fatal.”
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That may be changing. Right now half of the people in France in intensive care because of COVID-19 are *under* 50 years old.
Keith, very true and I just saw this same information this morning. At this point in time we don’t know if the under 40’s had underlying health problems, or if they were healthy individuals.
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It goes to show how little we know about the virus and the Covid-19 disease it causes. Another worry is that even in healthy individuals there appears to be some scaring in the lungs and reduced lung function after recovery.
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There is a lot that we don’t know yet. The best defence is to not contract the virus. We must all be vigilant. Stay safe out there. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and practice social distancing.
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I think that we should all start the Vulcan greeting. Live long and prosper..
Another place that we need to worry about is Canada Post.
What precautions are they taking? Additionally, their are mass gatherings of people in the Warehouse Baffin Gas area, because they don’t properly distribute the mail to both locations.
I would like to know what plan they have, if any.