Nunavut’s COVID-19 case count rises to 30

Hard-hit Arviat added six new COVID-19 cases on Feb.20, Nunavut Premier Joe Savikataaq announced in a tweet.

That means the territory’s case count has risen to 30, an increase that comes only about six weeks after the territory’s case count had shrunk to zero as of this past Jan. 3.

Meanwhile, John Main, the MLA for Arviat North-Whale Cove, will be unable to attend the winter sitting of the Nunavut legislature in-person because of community travel restrictions that prevent him from leaving Arviat.

Instead, Main will participate via Zoom, Speaker Paul Quassa said Feb. 19 in a news release.

Savikataaq is also an Arviat resident and represents the constituency of Arviat South. But because he’s now residing in Iqaluit, he’s not affected by Arviat’s current lockdown rules.

All of Nunavut’s COVID-19 cases are located in Arviat.

Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s chief public health officer, on Feb. 19 urged all Nunavummiut to continue supporting the people of Arviat.

And he urged that Arviat residents not let their guards down.

“As we head into the weekend, it is imperative that Arviammiut refrain from visiting, maintain strong physical distancing and wear masks when outside their households.”

All residents with COVID-19 are doing well and isolating at home, the government’s news release states. Contact tracing is continuing.

As of Saturday, Feb. 20, testing in Arviat had yielded 2,180 negative tests.

Nunavut is reporting six new cases of #COVID19 today, Saturday, February 20. There are 30 active cases in Arviat and 307 total recovered cases in the territory.

For more information, go to https://t.co/mvqT5ehEkc

— Premier Joe Savikataaq (@JSavikataaq) February 20, 2021

Travel in and out of Arviat remains restricted, unless for emergency or essential purposes.

Arviammiut who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can call their health centre for an appointment.

To date, 6,915 Nunavummiut have received at least one dose of the Moderna vaccine. Vaccine clinics in the territory are ongoing.

Anyone who believes they have been exposed to COVID-19 is asked to call the COVID hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST, or notify their community health centre right away, and immediately isolate at home for 14 days.