The number of active COVID-19 cases in Iqaluit now stands at 19, the Government of Nunavut said on Saturday.
Iqaluit’s COVID-19 outbreak adds six more cases
A total of 19 active cases in Nunavut’s capital as of Saturday, GN says
The number of COVID-19 cases in Iqaluit increased by six on Saturday, bringing total active cases in the Nunavut capital to 19.
“All individuals are stable and isolating at home,” Nunavut Premier Joe Savikataaq stated in an online update issued at about 11 a.m.
These new cases bring the total number of lab-confirmed cases in the territory since the start of the pandemic to 414, according to Government of Nunavut statistics.
All of Nunavut’s active cases are now located in Iqaluit.
Earlier on Saturday, Savikataaq released tips for managing anxiety and stress during the pandemic. Methods of reducing stress include breathing techniques, spending time on the land, talking to friends or relatives and limiting time on social media, he said.
On Friday, the GN first reported a COVID-19 outbreak in Iqaluit.
On Thursday, the government had identified the Storehouse bar and grill as a site of “potential COVID-19 exposure” and encouraged anyone who had been to the establishment since April 8 to monitor themselves and schedule a test if they show any symptoms.
Meanwhile, the growing outbreak in Iqaluit is creating ripples throughout the Baffin region.
Canadian North acknowledged Friday that its cargo flights from Ottawa to Iqaluit would be slowed down.
But the airline has also asked Baffin communities not to ship any cargo south.
The Pangnirtung fish plant was notified by Canadian North that the airline would not ship any more turbot south for at least two weeks.
In a notice circulated on social media on behalf of the fish plant, Peter Kilabuk said that was due to “no cargo staff in Iqaluit to handle the fish for a period most likely well over two weeks.”
The GN has asked residents of Nunavut who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to call a hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. eastern time or to contact their local health centre by phone.
The GN will continue to hold news conferences next week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11 a.m. eastern time.
All cargo staff are sick with Covid, we can see where ground level infection for where Covid started, it’s too bad some or these essential workers had to go to the bar when they were not supposed to.
Time for the GN to review its protocols for essential workers, this could of been prevented or controlled better with better protocols. Testing them being one of them.
So first of all the person who got
Covid was given this in Iqaluit
So Stop finger pointing and
Look in the mirror and ask yourself.
1) did you wear your mask
2) did you always stay over 6 feet from people in public
3) did you get your 2 shots of vaccines
If you did great
Because all 3 is needed to
Fight this Covid 19
If Not please try to Follow Premier Joe & Dr Patterson ❤️❤️
How did it get to Iqaluit in the first place? More than likely it was brought up by someone who travelled here, less likely to have come from someone who had isolated for two weeks before coming up here so it’s more obvious where that leads us.
It’s time for the GN to review its essential travellers policy and make some adjustments and include more testing for essential travellers.
This would assist in limiting the risk of a outbreak.
Too bad that Nunavut can’t find enough local people to work in the cargo department. It’s awfully nice of those essential workers to risk their own health and travel away from home in a pandemic to provide essential service to people who for some reason don’t fill their own unskilled jobs.
I would not say that the work is unskilled. To work around aircraft, you need to qualify first through written and practical exams. You are also operating heavy machinery.
The point is, you don’t need a special university program and there is no special barrier to these jobs. If Nunavut residents wanted to do that work they easily could, although they prefer it seems to complain about the non-residents who kindly come here to do it for them.
Ok, I get what you’re saying, but to me “unskilled” means you can throw anyone into a job with a pulse and two hands. These guys require Transport Canada clearance and specialized training; not so easily replaced as you might think. Oh, and I would love to see the “University types” out there on the tarmac in -40 to -50 C conditions unloading Iqaluit’s groceries. These guys deserve more credit and appreciation then they get.
Man, you are still totally missing the point, that being, there is no reason why Nunavut needs to import cargo workers. Don’t you believe the people of Nunavut have the ability to do your job? I think they do. If they did fill those jobs, they wouldn’t need the temporary exempted workers, and problem solved.
Baffin why don’t you go tell that to the hundreds lining up to buy alcohol! Some don’t have masks, not six feet apart!
What a joke! So much for those rules if so many won’t follow them including these essential workers who went to bars.
they closed the store down for two days. i was getting the shakes. it was nice in the line – big lines though lots of smiles from everyone getting their liquor. got my stuff but im going to need more moday.
Where do we go to get tested ?
Call the Covid hot line and tell them you want tested
Good for you?
Is it okay to pitch a tent outside the beer/wine store? Would like to be the first one there for when they open next and long line today
Is there any evidence of community transmission?
Maybe now is not the time to lay blame. Covid doesn’t chose who gets to get it. Now is the time to follow protocol and not stress. I know it’s scarey as the virus can spread fast and furious..but please keep calm. We here in the Kivalliq knows how it is and how it was to be ostracized when we were trying our best . Prayers for Iqalungmiut.