COVID-19

Featured, Health, News, Politics September 25, 2020

COVID-19 secretariat: smaller staff, more efficient, more expensive

Russell Neudorf, associate deputy minister, says it will cost $2.6 million more on top of the GNWT's current pandemic response to establish the secretariat.


The territorial government acknowledges it needs to improve its communications around COVID-19, especially regarding its proposed secretariat. Speaking with reporters Thursday morning, Russell Neudorf, the man in charge of the project, said all these questions are partly the government’s fault. “I believe this is in part because we may not…

Featured, Health, News September 24, 2020

Mandatory masks coming to YK Independent grocery stores

Customers and staff will soon be required to wear a face covering while inside all Independent grocery stores in Yellowknife. Loblaw Public Relations says the decision was made as guidelines from public health determine wearing a mask is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially…

Featured, Health, News September 22, 2020

Diavik COVID-19 case cleared

The office of the chief public health officer (OCPHO) says the investigation into a case of COVID-19 at Diavik Diamond Mine is over. The case was confirmed positive on Sept. 10. Dr. Kami Kandola’s office sent a public health advisory saying the mine’s medical team tested the person’s contacts and…

Featured, News September 21, 2020

Acho Dene Koe First Nation postpones election by six months

Acho Dene Koe First Nation (ADKFN) chief and council has delayed an upcoming election for the second time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The election has been postponed by six months. In a press release, the ADKFN says the pandemic is a serious concern that presents risks to…

Environment, Featured, Health September 11, 2020

COVID-19 wastewater program coming to the NWT

The government says samples of sewage water may help detect the presence of COVID-19 in local communities.


The government is launching a wastewater testing program to potentially detect the presence of COVID-19 in the territories. The program will collect sewage samples from Hay River, Yellowknife, Inuvik, Fort Smith and Fort Simpson. The government says they suspect this program to cover half the population’s and 100 per cent of all…

Community, Featured, Health September 9, 2020

Presumptive positive case of COVID-19 found at Diavik mine

The territorial government says there is a presumptive case of COVID-19 at Diavik Mine. The unnamed individual arrived at the Northwest Territories in a chartered flight from Ontario, as stated in a press release. Upon entry, the worker was deemed “presumptive positive” and still needs to be confirmed by a…

Community, Featured, Health, News September 4, 2020

New COVID-19 secretariat role coming to the GNWT

In preparing for a second wave of COVID-19, the territorial government is creating a secretariat role within the department of Health and Social Services to respond to the pandemic. The secretariat will work closely with Kami Kandola, chief public health officer, implementing, and enforcing the NWT Public Health Order. For…

Featured, News September 3, 2020

Masks to be mandatory at health facilities

Masks or face coverings will soon be required in all health facilities and offices across the territory. The NWT health and social service authorities (HSS) began implementing a mandatory face covering policy for employees and the public at certain facilities on Monday, a press release says. The HSS aims to…