The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) of the Northwest Territories is recommending that NWT residents avoid all non-essential travel outside of the territory due to the coronavirus outbreak.
There are still no confirmed cases in the NWT.
Dr. Kami Kandola’s advice follows direction from the federal government.
To limit the spread of COVID-19, Global Affairs Canada is advising citizens to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is now urging Canadians abroad to come home while they still can, as Canada is shutting the border to non-Canadian citizens, with limited exceptions to limit the spread of COVID-19.
According to media reports – permanent Canadian residents, the immediate family members of Canadian citizens, diplomats, air crews, and U.S. citizens are still being allowed into Canada at this time.
The NWT Health and Social Services Authority is now saying that to limit the spread of COVID-19, both the Federal and territorial governments are advising travelers arriving in Canada from any international destination, via airport or land port of entry, to:
Self-isolate for 14 days after your return from travel outside of Canada.
Monitor your health for fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
For international visitors already within the NWT who have no symptoms and who are still within 14 days of their arrival to Canada, we are recommending self-isolation to complete the full duration or the option to return home immediately.
Other Scenarios Requiring Self-Isolation:
Anyone who has been in close contact with a person with COVID-19, should self- isolate for 14 days since last exposure.
Close contacts at highest risk are persons who:
-provided care for the person with COVID-19 (including health care workers without consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment, family members or other caregivers)
-lived with or otherwise had close prolonged contact (within 2 metres or 6 feet) with a person with COVID-19 who had symptoms and was not self-isolating
-had direct contact with infectious body fluids of a person with COVID-19 with symptoms (e.g., was coughed or sneezed on) without the appropriate use of recommended personal protective equipment.
-Airplane crew and passengers seated within 2 meters of a person with COVID-19 with symptoms.
If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days continue to isolate yourself from others, call a health care provider and inform them about symptoms and travel history.
They will provide advice on what you should do.
You will need to:
Monitor your health for fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
Wash your hands often for 20 seconds and cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing or sneezing.
If you do develop symptoms within 14 days continue to isolate yourself from others, call your health care provider and inform them about symptoms and travel history. They will provide advice on what you should do.
You can contact a health care provider as follows:
Yellowknife: 867-767-9120
Inuvik: 867-490 –2225 or867-777-7246
Fort Smith: 867-872-6219 or 867-872-6221
Hay River: 867-874-7201
Other communities can call their local health centres, www.hss.gov.nt.ca/health-centres
If your symptoms become severe call 9-1-1.
One other point the chief public health officer made Sunday was for folks to stop spreading rumours about coronvirus.
We were hearing last week that some NWT communities were shutting down – not letting anybody in or out.
We have no notification that’s true at this point.
Dene National Chief Norman Yakeleya tells CKLB that he will be holding a briefing this week to discuss exactly what’s actually going on in the communities.
We’ll bring you that information as soon as it is made available,
