Healthcare services cut back to deal with COVID-19 outbreak

Health centres in the Sahtu and Dehco regions are only running emergency services for the time being, as communities in the area are grappling with the COVID-19 outbreak.

This might lead to delays for appointments and walk-in services, according to a statement from the Health and Social Services Authority.

People who need COVID-19 testing can call their local health centre to arrange for testing.

Clinics in Yellowknife will also be cutting back on services because of staff being redeployed to help manage the outbreak. The Yellowknife Primary Care Clinic and Frame Lake Community Health Centre will be moving to virtual appointments until Aug. 30.

This comes as the case count continues to increase in several communities in the territory. There are now 170 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the territory. 

Colville Lake, which only has a population of 149 people, saw its case total spike to 55.

There are also now seven cases in Délı̨nę, 10 in Norman Wells, one in Inuvik and 19 in Yellowknife.

There’s also a high-risk exposure notification in place for the Salvation Army in Yellowknife, for people who slept overnight at the shelter on any of August 15-19. Those people should self-isolate for ten days and arrange for testing.

Bailey Moreton
Bailey Moreton
Bailey is new to the north, arriving from Ottawa where he studied journalism at Carleton University. He has worked for newspapers in Halifax, Windsor, and Ottawa. He came to the north hoping to see polar bears. He will settle for a bison. If you have a tip, send it to 905 252-9781, or [email protected].

Continue Reading

You may also like



cjcd Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Aklavik Access Road closes April 30, one day earlier than anticipated

The N.W.T. Department of Infrastructure has closed the Aklavik Access Road as the winter road season comes to a close. On Wednesday, the department issued a 72-hour closure caution but warned that the road “may close sooner with little to no notice.”

April water levels, temps and precipitation below average in much of N.W.T.

Data collected by scientists with the territory’s Environment and Climate Change department shows water levels remain low in most rivers and lakes across the territory. Great Slave Lake's level is lower than below average levels last year. With snow packs above average in the south, water levels could rise as temperatures rise.

GNWT announces investment of $30 million into inclusive schooling

The Government of the Northwest Territories is investing over $30 million towards stabilizing inclusive schooling in the territory following a 2024-2026 review.

32nd N.W.T. school sees enhanced lead levels in water

With another school showing high levels of lead in drinking water, testing so far confirms that 32 of 40 schools in N.W.T. have elevated levels of lead, that's 80 per cent. School water testing results were announced for two more schools in the territory with one school in Délı̨nę showing elevated levels of lead.

Flood and wildfire preparedness activities begin across N.W.T.

Flood and wildfire preparedness planning activities are beginning across the territory. Hay River’s Local Emergency Management Organization is bringing emergency preparedness information resources, including a preparedness brochure mailed out this week to households. Jason Currie, NWT’s manager of fire operations says with snow pack water equivalencies being “well above average” this season is helping delay wildfire season.