“It’s up to all of us to limit the spread of COVID-19,” says Nunavut premier
Still no confirmed cases in the territory
Nunavut Premier Joe Savikataaq gives a daily update about the response to the risk of COVID-19 in the territory on Tuesday, March 17, with Nunavut’s chief medical officer of health, Michael Patterson, waiting in the wings. The two took turns to speak at the microphone to maintain their distance. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut. (Photo by Meagan Deuling)
Nunavut residents need to do their part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by keeping their distance from one another, says Premier Joe Savikataaq.
“This is a stressful, disruptive time for everyone, but it’s up all of us to limit the spread of COVID-19,” Savikataaq said during a daily update on the pandemic on Tuesday, March 17, in Iqaluit.
“It’s time to stay at home as much as possible when not at work, even if you’re feeling healthy.”
And if you have been tested for COVID-19, it is “imperative” that you stay home until your test result comes in, said Nunavut’s chief medical officer of health, Michael Patterson.
There are still no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Nunavut, but more people are being tested every day, said Patterson.
This was the second daily news conference. A day earlier, the premier sat elbow to elbow with Patterson and two other ministers. Today, the two took turns speaking, with one waiting in the wings while the other was at the microphone, to maintain their distance.
“Social distancing and handwashing will make a huge difference in slowing down the spread of COVID-19,” Savikataaq said, “even in overcrowded houses.”
If you have “concerning travel history or other possible exposure” or cough and cold symptoms, you should get tested, Patterson said.
If you think you need to be tested, and it’s not an emergency, Savikataaq said to call your health centre, or the Qikiqtani General Hospital if you’re in Iqaluit, and you will be assessed by phone to determine if you need to go in to be tested.
And, Patterson emphasized, if you don’t have symptoms, you do not need to be tested.
To test for COVID-19, health-care practitioners use a swab to collect a sample, which is then sent to a lab in Winnipeg, said Patterson.
There are sampling swabs in every community right now, and 600 arrived in the territory the other day, with more en route.
Air travel is what slows down getting results back. It takes up to four days to get results back to Iqaluit, and the longest it takes from some communities is five to six days.
The GN is actively working to put together a fiscal package to make sure no one suffers financially because of the lockdown happening now to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but Savikataaq said it’s too early to give details.
Patterson recently met with wardens at the correctional facilities in Iqaluit and passed on information about how to properly clean them, and talked about contingency plans in case COVID-19 shows up in a jail.
The federal government is currently advising people to not travel if it’s not necessary. Patterson said that the GN is not banning the return of people who live in the territory. But, upon their return, residents should avoid joining any gathering outside work unless it’s essential, and should monitor themselves for two weeks. If symptoms appear during that time, they should isolate themselves and call their health centre for an over-the-phone assessment.
Samples sent to Winnipeg for testing , but can the results no be sent back by email?? Would that not cut back on the time awaiting results?
Good idea Paul. There may be some privacy concerns but as long as it goes from the lab to the hospital/health service I would suggest that this emergency warrants waiving the privacy concerns.
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The only thing to worry about would be a positive result, but if that is the case the person should be quarantined immediately anyways, and anyone with close contact with that person.
If they are sending results back North by snail mail we need a public inquiry. Unacceptable.
If someone has decided that emailing results was necessary to protect privacy, that person needs to lose their job.
I think it’s more likely it’s been misreported.
I believe what is meant is that it takes days to get the result back from the moment the test is taken. That is, it’s counting the time to fly the sample out plus the lab time. The results come back right away by email or fax.
When out in public, if someone intentionally coughs into their hands and intentionally puts their face near someone else, as an act of defiance, can they be charged? (Yes, a jerk really did that)
With many posting in facebook with toilet paper, those with similar mental illness will not get the idea not to spread it. it will hurt many victims of no concerns for public. People still trying to visit around.
Someone should confirm how many ventilators they have. Rumor is it is two for all of Iqaluit.
There are seven for all of Nunavut
That if you have water everyday arviat waiting time all day or evening 24hours later what going on with this new water treatment plant 22 million junk.
Dont touch your face – as the doctor touches his face in the picture.
Look after yourself Dr I am sure you’re under a lot of pressure.
When will they close bars in iqaluit they closed daycares but not bars ?????