Iqaluit COVID-19 cases climb to 45

The number of COVID-19 cases in Iqaluit rose by eight on Tuesday, bringing the Nunavut capital’s caseload to 45.

The announcement, made by Nunavut Premier Joe Savikataaq through social media, comes nearly two weeks since Iqaluit confirmed its first case of the virus.

In addition to new cases, five recoveries are being reported in Iqaluit, and one recovery is being reported in Kinngait, where the number of active cases now stands at two.

There are currently 49 active cases in the territory and contact tracing is ongoing.

To date, 836 tests have been conducted in Iqaluit since the first case was reported. Of those, 63, or 7.5 per cent, have been positive.

In Kinngait there have been 103 swabs taken with four coming back positive.

No additional testing is being reported in Rankin Inlet.

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. eastern time.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include sore throat, runny nose, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, muscle ache, loss of taste and smell, tiredness, fever or upset stomach.

Since Friday, 407 additional first doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered in Nunavut.

To date, 15,322 Nunavut residents now have at least one dose of the vaccine.

Over the same period, 302 Nunavummiut received the second dose of the vaccine, bringing the territorial total of those fully vaccinated to 12,242.

According to Nunavut’s chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson, research shows that the Moderna vaccine is effective against the more contagious B117 strain of the virus, otherwise known as the U.K. variant, which accounts for at least 21 of the positive cases in Iqaluit.

Those who would like to book a vaccination appointment can call their local health centre.

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

Televised COVID-19 updates will continue this week on Wednesday and Friday at 11 a.m. eastern time.