The territory’s chief public health officer (CPHO) is calling the Treaty 11 activities held in Fort Good Hope a “superspreader event.”
A total of 23 cases — only three of which have been confirmed — are being reported in the Sahtú and Yellowknife.
There is one confirmed case and 15 probable cases in Fort Good Hope, two confirmed cases in Colville Lake, one probable case in Délı̨nę and four probable cases in Yellowknife.
Dr. AnneMarie Pegg, the territorial medical director, says those infected are doing well “clinically” and that there have not been any hospitalizations yet.
Julie Green, the NWT health minister, said the outbreak could place “tremendous strain” on the healthcare system.
“We’ve dealt with cases and even outbreaks in the past, and the measures we’ve put in place enabled us to get through these difficult and stressful times,” she said.
But she added the current outbreak is different from previous ones as it involves multiple communities.
According to Dr. Kami Kandola, the NWT CPHO, the outbreak began when a symptomatic person attended Treaty 11 events held in Fort Good Hope from Aug. 5 to 9.
Dr. Kandola says it is unclear how that person was infected with COVID but that they had not traveled outside the territory.
The variant has yet to be determined, but Dr. Kandola says she believes it is the Delta Variant which was first identified in India.
Dr. Kandola says she expects further infections in the coming days.
She says everyone who attended is at risk of infection, but those who are unvaccinated are at a higher risk.
Without giving specifics, Dr. Kandola said the majority of people infected are unvaccinated.
Containment order
A containment order has been issued for Colville Lake and Fort Good Hope means no gatherings are allowed at any time in homes or in public places, with exceptions for homecare and childcare.
No gathering outdoors with anyone you do not live with.
Non-essential businesses and facilities must close, including community centres and schools. While essential businesses and facilities — including grocery stores and gas stations — will have a 10-person indoor limit at one time.
Offices may remain open with a 10-person indoor limit, and physical distancing requirements must be enforced.
Daycares can remain open for the children of essential workers only.
All people must wear masks in any public indoor spaces.
Anyone who attended the events and isn’t fully vaccinated should arrange to be tested by the local health unit and must isolate for 10 days, starting on Sunday. This includes anyone who has returned to another community.
People who were fully vaccinated that were in attendance are asked to monitor their symptoms for 10 days starting Sunday and to arrange to be tested if they have symptoms.
The Sahtú has one of the lowest rates in the NWT with only 71 per cent partially vaccinated and 62 per cent fully vaccinated.
A rapid response team is in Fort Good Hope to help with testing and the investigation.
Two additional COVID-19 cases not connected to the cluster in Fort Good Hope have been reported. One is in an out of territory worker in Norman Wells and another in an out of territory worker in Hay River.
