No plans to extend mask requirements: Health Department

The Nunavut government is not planning to expand the mask mandate it imposed last week at the territory’s health centres.

The Health Department announced the change Oct. 17 in a news release in light of “increasing numbers” of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

“Mandatory masking was reintroduced into health facilities to provide an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable,” said Danarae Sommerville, spokesperson for the Health Department, in an email Monday, providing more information about last week’s announcement.

Masks are once again required at all Nunavut health facilities, including health centres, elders centres and the Akausisarvik mental health facility in Iqaluit.

For the general population, the government advises Nunavummiut to follow “basic public health recommendations” to reduce the risk of spreading respiratory illnesses or of getting sick.

The Health Department did not answer a question about how many cases there were when the mask mandate was reintroduced last week.

However, beginning in the mid-fall and throughout the winter there is typically an “uptick” in the rate of respiratory illnesses. It’s an annual occurrence that includes illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, Sommerville said.

The Health Department started its influenza vaccination program in mid-October and encouraged everyone over the age of six months to get the flu vaccine.

COVID-19 “remains a concern,” Sommerville said, adding “vaccination is still the best protection against severe illness or death.”

The updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available in all communities, she added.

The Health Department held a one-day vaccination clinic Monday for members of the legislative assembly. They are in Iqaluit for the next couple of weeks for the legislative assembly’s fall sitting.