Presumptive case of COVID-19 announced in Arviat
Masks mandatory in community’s indoor public places and outdoors where physical distancing isn’t possible
Residents of Arviat are being advised to follow COVID-19 health and safety precautions after a presumptive case of the virus was announced. (File photo)
People in Arviat are being asked to take precautions after a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 was identified in the community on Thursday.
Nunavut’s chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, made the announcement Friday.
He said in a news release that the case was identified when a school-aged person from the community tested positive on an IDNow rapid testing device.
A second sample has been sent to a lab in Rankin Inlet for confirmatory testing. Public health expects results to be confirmed today, Patterson said.
Schools and daycares are closed as the risk is assessed. Neither the person who tested positive nor their family has recently travelled, indicating this case is a second exposure, said Patterson.
Travel in and out of Arviat is not recommended. Public health says that anyone who left Arviat on or after Sept. 6 and is not fully vaccinated is asked to isolate for 14 days from when they left Arviat. Anybody who develops symptoms is asked to call Nunavut’s COVID-19 hotline at 1- 888-975-8601.
Effective immediately, masks are mandatory in Arviat in all indoor public places and outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Other conditions include:
- Outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people.
- Indoor gatherings in dwellings decrease to 10 people, plus household members.
- Indoor public gatherings, including places of worship, gyms, fitness centres, libraries, galleries and swimming pools, are restricted to 25 people or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is less.
- No public places may allow group tours, group workouts or singing.
- Gatherings in arenas are restricted to 50 people or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is less. No team sports.
- Restaurants and licensed establishments are restricted to 25 per cent capacity.
- Group counselling sessions are limited to 10 people.
- Parks remain open but buildings are closed.
- Schools will move to their learning plan combining classroom and remote learning.
- Long-term care and elders’ facilities may allow a maximum of two visitors per resident, with masks mandatory for all visitors over age of four; only immediate family.
Confirmed case in Iqaluit – masks not required
Presumptive case in Arviat – masks required
Why aren’t masks required in Iqaluit? Is it really such a hardship to throw on a mask when you get groceries?
On the contrary, it makes sense. The case in Iqaluit is from someone returning from down south. The case in Arviat may be from community transmission.
2 very different scenarios.
There is no need to change anything in Iqaluit.
The difference is that in Iqaluit they know the person who tested positive got it before they arrived in Iqaluit. If the case does turn out to be positive in Arviat, it means they have no idea where the kid got it.
Control control control, fearing others and give up fights, segregate and punish to feel protected on top. New food chain!
Anyone else notice that we aren’t given the usual daily updates as before? The only time we hear anything is when we have an confirm case. What gives?
It passed through Iqaluit at least 2 weeks ago.
Iqaluit, Nunavut (September 19, 2021) – Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, today announced two positive cases of COVID-19 in Kinngait.
“Today, two individuals in Kinngait tested positive for COVID-19,” said Dr. Patterson. “Contact tracing with the positive individuals and associated contacts is ongoing to determine the source of infection.”
Contact tracing has found potential exposure to COVID-19 at Dorset Suites in Kinngait.
As a result, the Department of Health is asking anyone who stayed or dined there on or after September 8 to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days