Health

Featured, Health, News January 15, 2021

‘It’s a part of history and I’m happy … to be doing it with my mom’: Tłı̨chǫ nurse

Lianne Mantla travels with her mother, a Tłı̨chǫ interpreter, to help administer the COVID-19 in Wekweètì.


“I want more,” joked Wekweètì Chief Charlie Football after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.  Chief Football was the first in his community to receive the vaccination at the Wekweètì Youth Centre on Jan. 13.  On that day, a mobile vaccination team consisting of nurses, logisticians and a translator flew from Yellowknife…

Featured, Health, News January 13, 2021

COVID-19 found in Hay River’s wastewater

Anyone in self-Isolation Jan. 1 to Jan. 6 in Hay River or K'atlo'deeche First Nation must arrange for COVID-19 testing, says the GNWT


COVID-19 has been confirmed in Hay River’s wastewater. The office of the chief public health officer (CPHO) says at least one undetected case of COVID-19 remains in the community. Anyone in self-isolation between Jan. 1 to Jan. 6 in Hay River or K’atlo’deeche First Nation must arrange for COVID-19 testing,…

Community, Featured, Health, Life Style, News January 13, 2021

Norman Wells teen pleads for northern addictions treatment centre to MLAs

Sierra McDonald writes how mental health struggles can lead to addiction when not properly addressed.


Sierra McDonald had to come up with a community project this summer as part of a youth peer leader retreat. The 17-year-old used the opportunity to bring attention to mental health and addictions: she sent a letter to MLAs highlighting the need for  an addictions treatment centre. In her letter…

Community, Featured, Health, News January 13, 2021

Pertussis outbreak in Dehcho

The office of the chief public health officer has confirmed seven cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River, and has declared an outbreak in the region. The number of cases has grown since an initial advisory earlier this month. Health officials are advising residents in…

Community, Featured, Health, News January 8, 2021

Lack of engagement creating ‘barriers’ for COVID vaccine rollout: MLA Semmler

GNWT says special vaccine characteristics easier to account for with mobile teams.


Lesa Semmler says she feels like the territorial government is trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The Inuvik-Twin Lakes MLA says the GNWT should do more to leverage local healthcare workers in the regional centres to get the vaccine to communities. The COVID-19…

Community, Featured, Health January 8, 2021

Inuvik kicks off vaccine roll out in long term care facility

The general population will receive the vaccine in March, says Dr. Kami Kandola, CPHO.


“It’s a historic event,” says Arlene Jergensen, chief operating officer for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA)’s Beaufort-Delta region. “And hopefully the end of [COVID], she adds. Inuvik received 190 doses of the Moderna vaccine on Jan.7. Residents and staff at the long-term care facility, attached to…

Community, Featured, Health, News January 7, 2021

Yellowknife COVID testing site moves to ensure enough space

The new testing site will be located at 108 Archibald Street, across from the Folk on the Rocks location.


The COVID-19 testing site in Yellowknife has moved for the sake of space. The NWT Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) announced the move from the primary care clinic to 108 Archibald Street. The move is to ensure the testing site has adequate surge capacity and reduces the impact on…

Community, Featured, Health, News January 6, 2021

Remote communities first to receive vaccines for all eligible adults

Vaccines for the general population will arrive in mid-March. 


Residents in the NWT’s most remote communities should expect to see mobile vaccination teams arrive starting next week. On Tuesday, the territorial government released its strategy to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. While the majority of doses will be kept for priority groups over the next two months, some communities will…

Featured, Health, News January 4, 2021

Non-resident worker tests positive to COVID-19

A non-resident traveling into Yellowknife for work tested positive to COVID-19 last week. The individual is asymptomatic and currently self-isolating. The chief public health officer announced the news in a press release on Jan. 1. The individual arrived in Yellowknife by domestic air travel, but the release says there is…