COVID-19 arrives in Qikiqtarjuaq
Hamlet of 650 is fifth Nunavut community to confirm disease since Dec. 20
This was the scene in Qikiqtarjuaq exactly a year ago as photographed by hamlet resident Miali Aliqatuqtuq. The hamlet is now the fifth Nunavut community to confirm a case of COVID-19 since Dec. 20, the Government of Nunavut reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Miali Aliqtuqtuq)
Qikiqtarjuaq is the latest Nunavut hamlet where COVID-19 has been detected, bringing to five the number of communities where the illness has been reported since Dec. 20.
A single case was confirmed in Qikiqtarjuaq, a hamlet of approximately 650 people on the north side of Baffin Island, Nunavut’s chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson announced in a news release Tuesday.
There are 37 active cases of the respiratory illness across the territory, the release states. There are 20 in Iqaluit, five in Pangnirtung, 10 in Rankin Inlet and one in each of Sanirajak and Qikiqtarjuaq. The Government of Nunavut had reported 20 active cases on Monday and eight on Friday.
“The more communities affected by COVID-19, the greater the pressure on our health-care system,” Patterson said.
It is “difficult” for Nunavut to manage several outbreaks at the same time because of the territory’s infrastructure and limited resources, he said.
Stricter public health rules Patterson imposed last week — which put the territory into another lockdown — will remain in effect until at least Jan. 7. Travel restrictions are in place for Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Pangnirtung. Travel to and from those communities is restricted to essential purposes and for people returning to their home community or returning to southern Canada.
Patterson and Premier P.J. Akeeagok are scheduled to provide an update on the territory’s COVID-19 situation Wednesday at 11 a.m.
“It is “difficult” for Nunavut to manage several outbreaks at the same time because of the territory’s infrastructure and limited resources, he said.”
Heaven forbid we should require that our public servants attempt anything “difficult”.
I have Covid. How do I know? Well, I have the sniffles and a sore throat. We’re told to “assume you have Covid”. So, I have Covid. Maybe I should get tested. Not supposed to go to the Health Centre though. So will the nurses come to my house? Fat chance of that.
I’m isolating but other members of my household are not. So they are out in the community, going to card games and spreading the virus.
Good luck, Nunavut.
You’re not supposed to go to the local health centre if you have symptoms but to call to arrange to go in for a test, not sit at home and expect the health centre staff to somehow know you need to be tested. Those instructions have been made quite clear for over a year now.
Why even commenting Isadore? You show absolutely no respect towards the health and front line staff. They have done a fabulous job during this past almost 2 years, and all you can do is writing a comment which is not asked for. Shame
I live in Rankin Inlet, and am now only getting updated info on case numbers from Nunatsiaq. It used to be that info was posted regularly on our News page on Facebook, including briefings by the CPHO. Now, there is no information flow, except this one. Have those occupying the key positions in our information eco-sphere become tired of it all, or lazy? What is going on?
This entire story is based on information published on the GN’s Facebook page today.