More than 1,000 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the most recent ongoing outbreak in Nunavut, 684 of which are reported recovered.
Case counts remain the highest in Iglulik with 94 cases as of Feb. 1. Vaccination rates remain low in the community, with only 54 percent of residents five and older fully vaccinated with two doses.
Dr. Michael Patterson, territorial chief public health officer, said that low vaccination rates are contributing to the spread, though SA国际影视传媒渉ow much is hard to know at this point.SA国际影视传媒�
Health Minister John Main went further, in saying misinformation presented over IglulikSA国际影视传媒檚 local radio stations and over the internet is contributing to its low vaccination rate.
SA国际影视传媒淢isinformation is a part of it. Unfortunately Iglulik appears to be an example of that, based on what I heard from community members. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 just really sad when you think about it,SA国际影视传媒� said Main.
SA国际影视传媒淚 see the vaccine, I see a life jacket, or a seatbelt. WhoSA国际影视传媒檚 out there telling people not to wear a life jacket? ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 a personal choice, if you choose not to wear a life jacket, (but) when youSA国际影视传媒檙e going and telling other people donSA国际影视传媒檛 wear a life jacket, donSA国际影视传媒檛 wear a life jacket, itSA国际影视传媒檚 really sad from where I sit,SA国际影视传媒� he added.
Rapid tests are not a replacement for isolation and they do not shorten the isolation period, repeated Dr. Patterson, who raised the matter in the past.
Those skipping isolation after getting a false negative Covid-19 rapid test are also contributing to the spread of Covid-19.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome of the introductions over the past few months have been people who have been exposed in the south, tested themselves with a rapid antigen test. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e had others who have been aware of exposure in the territory and tested themselves,SA国际影视传媒� said Patterson. SA国际影视传媒淭hat obviously contributes to spread.SA国际影视传媒�
There are 462 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in 18 communities in across the territory, with one death and 13 hospitalizations in this outbreak thus far. The active infections as of Feb. 2 in each community are:
Kugluktuk: 10
Cambridge Bay: 39
Taloyoak: 24
Baker Lake: 44
Rankin Inlet: 23
Arviat: 21
Whale Cove: 7
Chesterfield Inlet: 2
Coral Harbour: 26
Naujaat: 7
Sanirajak: 7
Sanikiluaq: 32
Pond Inlet: 14
Iglulik: 94
Qikiqtarjuaq: 2
Pangnirtung: 5
Kinngait 21
Iqaluit: 84
One Elder and nine staff members have contracted Covid-19 in NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 Elders facilities between Cambridge Bay, Arviat, Gjoa Haven and Iglulik. Positive staff members will be in isolation until they are recovered.
There are 45 cases at Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility, an increase from 12 cases from last week. Of those cases 30 are from inmates and the other 15 are from staff members, the inmates who tested positive are being isolated in a separate wing, said Nunavut justice minister David Akeeagok.
Public health measures in the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 schools continue to be dependent on each communitySA国际影视传媒檚 Covid-19 situation.
SA国际影视传媒淲e continue to monitor the situation of schools and staff and the capacity we have,SA国际影视传媒� said Nunavut Education Minister Pamela Gross.
Gross added schools will be contacting families in the case of closures or decreased capacity.
SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes they go on radio SA国际影视传媒� the (District Educational Authority) or the principal SA国际影视传媒� and announce that right away,SA国际影视传媒� Gross added.
