Health restrictions may change quickly with Omicron COVID-19 variant: CPHO
Spread of variant ‘shockingly high and fast,’ says Dr. Michael Patterson
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads through Canada’s provinces, Nunavut could see public health restrictions change quickly to limit its impact on the territory. (Graphic by Viktor Forgacs/Unsplash)
With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreading “shockingly high and fast,” Nunavut’s chief public health officer said restrictions may change quickly as public health learns more about it.
Dr. Michael Patterson urged Nunavummiut to get vaccinated and follow the rules.
“Vaccination, though not as effective against Omicron as it is with other strains, remains our very best protection,” he said in a news release on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Patterson announced new restrictions as two cases of COVID-19 were reported in Pangnirtung.
One of the biggest changes is the requirement for anyone returning to Nunavut to self-isolate for 14 days unless they are fully vaccinated and have received the booster shot more than 14 days earlier.
He said this may cause low staffing in government departments and schools in January when many employees return from vacation, but it is necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Nunavut.
In terms of what the holidays will look like, indoor gatherings have been limited to 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity or to 100 people, whichever is smaller.
Patterson is discouraging any community Christmas games or large gatherings.
“Keep events small and safe,” he said.
There were no new cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut on Wednesday and results have not yet confirmed whether the two active cases in Pangnirtung are the Omicron variant.
These results are expected in about a week.
Patterson has said it’s hard to tell the difference between a case of Omicron and the common cold.
The Government of Nunavut is asking anyone with symptoms to call the COVID hotline or their local health centre, but not to go in person.
With resources stretched at health centres across the territory, under-staffing will cause some communities to see reduced health services including flu and COVID-19 vaccines, health minister John Main said on Tuesday.
I just posted this comment on another story, but it seems more appropriate here.
Vaccinations for kids and third shots should be a priority right now as kids are out of school and many parents are also on break. This is the perfect time to do it, I know my friends down south have been doing this right now and for this reason.
So, if the third shot (booster) is seen as a necessity why aren’t vaccination clinics ramping up? Why not make it available for those who want it right now, and not 2 weeks from now when we are all back and work and forced to juggle hectic schedules?
The virus isn’t taking a break Mr. Premier, why are we? Let’s make this happen, ASAP.
If you know of any health staff that could help with this send them to Nunavut!
Too bad Health doesn’t care about retentions and you wouldn’t need to look elsewhere. It is a running joke they have been working on a nurse retention package reported like 6 years ago on Nunatsiaq. Everyone has quit, not necessarily because of Covid burnout as experienced elsewhere in Canada, but due to ongoing mismanagement from the ADM down. Treat your key staff with respect because it’s pretty clear millions of dollars to a nursing agency won’t fix the problem and management thinks a revolving door of professionals will just magically see new staff fly up for the lowest wages in the north, no housing, no time off and a never ending wage theft battle with Health HR.
Yes ask the feds to send military nurses to give booster shots ASAP, the virus will not take a christmas break
Booster shots ARE available in Nunavut and have been for months, but some folks don’t have their listening ears on.
There is however a waiting period after the second shot before you can get the booster.
And then to come into Nunavut you must have had the booster 14 days prior to entry.
Then and right now only then can you avoid the isolation.
They are not always available, Paul. In Rankin, for instance, we were advised by public health that the last shots before the New Year would be available on Dec. 15th, which turned out to be the evening our last blizzard set in.
They don’t need to have mass vaccination clinics running all day, but they could book appointments at set hours at least, which they I believe they have since realized as I have read elsewhere they will be offering a few open times to get them between now and New Year, which is great.
My whole family has had their 3rd shot, the booster. Pay attention. It’s been available for awhile.
What are we supposed to make of this? Vague assertions and no official policy statement with no details. Thank u health dept.
The premier is in charge, so should be, “Thank you Mr. Premier.”
What is vague about the Doctor’s announcement?
Be vaccinated and get your booster when you are eligible.
Else go into isolation.,
Are the Rapid Test Kits available at all entry points to Nunavut? They are available everywhere else in Canada.
They may not be a perfect test but they can be helpful for those whom have to isolate upon returning to Nunavut. Any other testing takes 5 plus days to get results. These test kits should be made available to the public now! There are no excuses why not. These kits will be even more useful when those who went south for shopping and visiting return soon and after the New Year.
Actually no, rapid tests are impossible to find elsewhere in the country. Things are so bad in the other provinces, you can’t even get tested for covid, even if you have symptoms. It’s safe to assume you have it, if you have symptoms, and the advice is to go into isolation ASAP and notify your contacts. Resources are stretched so so thin across the country.
I would say nunavut has the most resources at this point. Testing available.. boosters have been available for months, vaccines for kids have been available for months. They are only beginning to offer boosters to those over 60 in most provinces.. it’ll be months before they are available to everyone.
Stop complaining nunavut, you have it better than any other province or territory in the country right now.
What leave will the GN employee’s be allowed to use? As I recall the teachers made a huge fuss about this last year. Special 08?
Self-isolation is recommended, not mandatory at this time. Monitor for symptoms and return to work accordingly while following all the usual protocols (hand washing, mask wearing, distancing, etc.. for the full 14 days) No need to stay home for 14 days, away from work, unless you got the covid. Basically be responsible 🙂
One of the biggest changes is the requirement for anyone returning to Nunavut to self-isolate for 14 days unless they are fully vaccinated and have received the booster shot more than 14 days earlier.
This statement is not recommending. It is clearly mandatory now.
everyone has had a chance to get a booster so people shouldn’t get an extended 2 week paid isolation holiday if they weren’t responsible like the rest of us who got the boost
I think I’m outside the two weeks by a day or two.
Oh well, guess I’m moving.
The next varient is going to be so fast u wont even know u had it
Being a resident of Nunavut returning home from Ottawa, I will be obligated to isolate for 14 days on arrival. Anyway I could get my third shot in Ottawa? Thus returning to work on arrival.
Is this about the number of vaccinations or is this about our level of protection? Why does having a 3rd dose make isolation less necessary when we know there are omicron cases in vaccinated as well as boosted individuals around the world (e.g. Israel is rolling out a 4th dose now)? Also, there are people in the ‘everyone else’ category that may have sufficient protection already so why such a blanket requirement? For example, does someone who received their 2nd dose within 2-3 months need to self-isolate? There isn’t any evidence that healthy youth or children even require a booster at all (no data to determine whether benefits outweigh potential risks) so are they required to isolate as well? What about natural acquired immunity? It makes more sense for all returning travelers to self-isolate…otherwise, the CPHO will have to be much more clear around their recommendations.
To me it seems that a good measure of the response to the changing conditions of the pandemic has been very reactive, based more deeply in “felt sense” or intuition and emotion than those who have formulated policies like these would likely admit, even to themselves.
Of course, they will never have to admit to that as they are safe behind the protection of their status and whatever credentials they have.
None of this is to imply a conspiracy or any kind of political or economic motives. It is just a commentary on the peculiarities of the human mind.