Uncertainty remains about the COVID-19 case in Yellowknife, while the GNWT continues testing in Fort Liard and Hay River.
But despite this, with the total number of COVID-19 cases rising to 28 over the weekend, NWT’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Kami Kandola says there shouldn’t be COVID-19 spread in other communities.
“There is no scenario where there’s an unidentified case in another community and there’s no scenario where there is an unidentified cold contact in another community that hasn’t been made aware to us,” said Kandola.
One COVID-19 case has been confirmed in Yellowknife after an initial positive COVID-19 test result, without a clear origin. The GWNT was investigating a lead at Aven Manor senior’s home, according to Kandola.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Kandola said the GNWT was unable to determine the source of the COVID-19 case.
The traces of COVID-19 found in wastewater sampling conducted in Hay River stem from the individual diagnosed with COVID-19 in Fort Liard, Kandola confirmed on Tuesday. That individual had self-isolated in Hay River, according to Kandola, on their way back to Fort Liard.
Around 190 people presented for testing in response to the territory’s call for people who were self-isolating between January 1 and January 16 in Hay River and K’atlo’deeche First Nation to get tested for COVID-19.
So far, no cases have been reported stemming from the wastewater samples in Hay River. The signals have also remained stable, which indicates there hasn’t been any community spread of COVID-19, according to Kandola.
Fort Liard has been put under a two week shutdown as the total number of cases in the community rises to three. All gatherings, both inside and outside are prohibited for two weeks, as of Saturday, after a COVID-19 diagnosis was initially reported on Saturday.
Kandola said there is a “small community cluster” of contacts to the COVID-19 case, with around 50 people isolating right now.
“A large number of contacts means it is more likely there will be more cases,” said Kandola.
The GNWT currently has 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with four active cases.
