Armed forces being sent to NWT to deal with Sahtu outbreak

The Canadian Armed Forces are coming to the NWT to help with the Sahtu outbreak.

NWT MP Michael McLeod Tweeted the news saying he had spoken with Fort Good Hope Chief Tommy Kakfwi and federal minister Bill Blair.

McLeod added he would be pausing campaigning for the upcoming federal election while the outbreak was ongoing.

“In the interest of keeping constituents safe, we will be holding off on any in-person events or door-knocking until the situation improves,” he wrote. “We will still be engaging with NWTers by phone & social media, and look forward to resuming full campaign activity when it is safe to do so.”

Rangers officers and staff from the Canadian Red Cross will be travelling to the NWT.

Healthcare resources from Yellowknife had been sent to the region to help with the outbreak. 

The Yellowknife Primary Care Clinic and Frame Lake Community Health Centre will be moving to virtual appointments until Aug. 30.

Healthcare services in the Dehcho and Sahtu region were also cut back to emergency services only.

There are now 198 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the territory.

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

Yellowknife Community Foundation to deliver its biggest batch of scholarships

The Yellowknife Community Foundation has cracked the door wide open on its student awards scholarships fund. The foundation says its scholarship fund is delivering 45 scholarships, its greatest number of scholarships to date, to support students in trade professions and academics across the territory. N.W.T. students pursuing post-secondary studies or a trades education in any field are eligible for scholarships worth up to $9, 500, with a total of 45 scholarships are being offered.

N.W.T. holds among highest rates of workplace fatalities

N.W.T. holds among highest rates of workplace fatalities proportionate to worker populations. Researchers from the University of Regina said N.W.T. and Nunavut's worker mortality rate between 2019 to 2023 was highest in the country. The latest records show that for 2024, 11 people died due to a work related incident in the territories of the North. Scientists noted that because of N.W.T.’s small community populations, one or more early deaths had a much greater impact on mortality rates.

Timmy’s smile cookies return for sweet cause this spring

Tim Horton’s is bringing more smiles to new moms and babies in Yellowknife with proceeds of their smile cookie sales going to the Stanton Hospital Foundation’s Paediatric and Obstetric care. Patty Olexin-Lang, the foundation's executive director says campaigns like Tim Horton’s smile cookie week can go a long way to helping the hospital with their wish list of equipment. “We're super grateful for Tim Hortons and smile cookie week,” says Olexin-Lang.

GNWT releases draft of UNDRIP action plan

The territorial government is has released their initial draft for a United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Action Plan and are asking for public input. An announcement released today invited general members of the public to review and submit questions or comments on the initial draft of the plan.

AVENS’ national recognition champions aging in place in Yellowknife

After more than forty years of social innovation in older adult living and care AVENS was recognized with a special honour at the national volunteer awards for 2025. The organization has spent nearly half a century championing “aging in place” rights and access for older adults in the North. "We’re unique in the North and in Yellowknife to be able to provide that degree and variety of service and really focus on our mission, which is allowing seniors to age in place," said Colleen Wellborn