Iqaluit schools move to remote learning after more COVID-19 cases reported

Schools in Iqaluit have now transitioned to remote learning, Nunavut Premier Joe Savikataaq announced Monday, following an outbreak of COVID-19 in the city.

The closures are expected to last for the rest of this week at least and teachers will be in touch with parents and students today. 

The territory had been sitting at zero cases until April 14, when one was discovered in Iqaluit. It was the city’s first since the pandemic began last March. 

This news comes with the confirmation of six new active cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 28, all in Iqaluit.

Public-health officials have tested 263 people since the first case was discovered, which means the city is recording a 10-per-cent positivity rate. 

That’s because of the way public-health officials are carrying out testing, according to Nunavut’s chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson. Those who are identified as contacts, and those showing symptoms are the focal point right now.

“The percentage of positivity is much higher if we look at just the people who are known as contacts,” said Patterson.

“But as we catch up to the chain of transmission, we’ve already seen that percentage drop over the last 24 or 48 hours.”

As of Sunday, more than 130 potential contacts had been identified. 

Patterson said his team hasn’t confirmed community transmission because health officials have been able to trace every case to its source, except the first on April 14. It is still unknown whether that individual caught COVID-19 in Iqaluit or outside the territory.

In addition to contact tracing, the government continues to wait on the results of tests sent to a southern lab, which will determine whether the string of cases were caused by a variant. 

Patterson anticipates the initial results of those tests by the end of the week.

Premier Savikataaq also addressed an incident at the city’s beer and wine store on Saturday, after concerns people waiting in a very long lineup were not wearing masks or following distancing guidelines. 

“Saturday did not go as we envisioned,” he said.

“On behalf of the Government of Nunavut, I apologize for the situation and I assure you that we will do better next time.”

The situation was remedied later that day, and Savikataaq said clear markers and proper spacing will be in place at the store going forward.

In addition to physical distancing, Patterson stressed that masks are mandatory in public places.

“Public health measures work. We have seen them work in Sanikiluaq, Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove and Arviat,” he said.

“I know it’s frustrating and for many, a hardship, but the more we follow the rules, the quicker we can stop transmission.”

Any resident of Nunavut who thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19 is asked to call a hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST.

Kusugak says that the issue affecting the hotline last Friday has now been resolved.

Vaccination clinics in the city also continue to take  appointments and administer doses. So far 3,693 people have received their first dose and 2,545 have received both doses. 

For updated information and resources on COVID-19 visit the Government of Nunavut’s website.

Government COVID updates will continue this week on Wednesday and Friday at 11 a.m. eastern time.