The GNWT has increased short-term operational funding for businesses to further support them through the COVID-19 pandemic.

They amended the Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development program which provided up to $5,000 to individual businesses impacted by gathering limitations.

The maximum amount available to businesses for short-term operational funding has increased to $12,500.

The SEED program has also been amended to include funding for equipment, training, and new technologies as gathering limitations begin to relax and businesses welcome back customers.

Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment Caroline Wawzonek says this amended coverage specifically assists businesses with confirming customers’ Proof of Vaccine Credential.

Wawzonek says the GNWT recognizes that the territory’s small to medium business owners have been faced with significant challenges over the course of the pandemic, particularly in the last couple of months.

“We hope that this increase in operational funding helps to support them as they slowly begin to welcome back customers and adapt to an evolving operating environment,” she adds.

Wawzonek says to date, ITI has received more than 50 applications for the $5,000 operational support funding.

The total amount of funding available for this initiative is $750,000 and will remain in effect until March 31st, 2022, as long as public gathering limitations are in place or until the allocated funding is spent.

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There have been eight new cases of COVID-19 reported in the territory since October 27th.

This is the first time since the Sahtu outbreak began in mid August that the territory has received a single digit number of new cases.

There are now 186 active cases among residents in the territory. Yellowknife has gone down to 63 while Behchokǫ is back up to 49.

The number of active cases in Hay River has steadied and is now at 64. Inuvik remains at seven active cases.

The total number of cases related to the Sahtu outbreak is at 1751. 1530 cases belonging to NWT residents and 25 out-of-territory cases have been resolved from the outbreak.

The total number of hospitalizations related to this outbreak remains at 55 while ICU admissions remain at 19.

The number of COVID-19 deaths in the NWT remains at 10.

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Det’on Cho have acquired the former Slave Lake Inn on 4105 Franklin Avenue which will lead to a transition of boarding home services from the Vital Abel Boarding Home to the new facility.

Opened in March 2019, the former Slave Lake Inn in Yellowknife had been operated as a 31-unit hotel under previous ownership.

General Manager of the Det’on Cho hospitality group Clayton Thompson says in a continued effort to create the best guest experience possible, they will immediately start renovations that will result in a modern facility that will better serve the needs of its medical travel guests.

“COVID-19 has demonstrated the need to think differently about how we provide services, and we are excited to make a major infrastructure investment that will improve our client’s comfort and safety,” he adds.

Thompson says installation of a new commercial kitchen and room enhancements will ensure that guests are more comfortable and safer than ever before.

President and CEO of Det’on Cho Management LP Paul Gruner says the building is the first commercial property 100% owned outside of Ndilo.

“The long-term relationship with our client, the NWT Health and Social Services Authority, has provided the foundation for Det’on Cho to make this investment,” he adds.

Gruner says Det’on Cho’s current medical travel facility in Ndilo will be repurposed for community housing resulting in eleven apartment units for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

He adds that Det’on Cho is in the process of renaming 4105 Franklin Avenue.

“The new name will be representative of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation,” he adds.

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Higher-than-normal water levels on the Tazin and Taltson rivers could impact NWT residents and land-users according to the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.

There are no NWT communities downstream on the rivers, however there are cabins and camps which could be put at risk due to the water levels.

ENR says Taltson currently sits at about 0.5 metres lower than the record high water level last fall and water level and flow in Tazin have not decreased as expected.

“This could result in sustained high water in the Taltson River during freeze-up. Cabin owners and people heading out for fall hunts should be on high alert,” they add.

ENR says high water conditions may lead to flooding and may cause ice to form later or be thinner in areas where ice has been safe in prior years.

Anyone travelling on the land is asked to let their family and friends know their itinerary, travel in a group, bring an emergency survival kit, check in regularly with home, and check the weather and ice conditions in the area.

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A lone wolf sighting has been reported in the Parker Park area in Yellowknife.

Environment and Natural Resources says on Facebook that officers are monitoring the situation.

Anyone who spots the wolf is being asked to report sightings to ENR and make sure to keep their dogs on leash for their safety.

For more information on wolves and wolf safety, residents can visit ENR’s website.

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Eligibility for booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is being expanded to all NWT residents who are 18 years of age by December 31st.

Booster doses are being offered on a voluntary basis, after a minimum of six months following a resident’s second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The NWT Health and Social Services Authority says anyone who is immune-compromised may be eligible for a third dose instead of a booster.

“If that’s the case, please tell your healthcare provider at your immunization appointment,” they add.

At this time booster doses are only available to NWT residents.

Those who are residents but do not yet have an NWT health card are to bring proof of residence to their appointment.

The NTHSSA says non-residents should follow the COVID-19 vaccine schedule of their originating province when they return to their home locations.

They also note that COVID-19 boosters can be received at the same time as the flu vaccine.

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The temporary COVID-19 restrictions order in Behchokǫ̀ is being extended for another week due to there is no clear downward trend in the number of new COVID-19 cases occurring daily.

The Chief Public Health Officer says she continues to see COVID-19 infections with no clear chain of transmission indicating that community transmission continues in the community.

The Behchokǫ temporary COVID-19 restrictions order has been extended through to 11:59 p.m. on November 8th.

The decision was made after consulting with local leadership in Behchokǫ̀.

Dr. Kami Kandola says extending the order is a difficult decision that must be made as this slow burn of COVID-19 throughout Behchokǫ̀ puts the surrounding communities at significant risk of importation and sparking further outbreaks.

Behchokǫ̀ currently has 44 cases of COVID-19, down 66 cases from when the order was extended last week.

Full details about the order are available on the GNWT COVID-19 website.

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Students in two different classrooms at N.J. Macpherson School in Yellowknife were sent home due to COVID-19 exposure in the school.

Letters have been sent home to all parents and guardians of the students in the affected classrooms.

These classrooms will pivot to online learning for the next ten days.

All other staff and students at the school are to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately isolate if signs or symptoms develop.

N.J. McPherson was shut down in early May after an outbreak was declared at the school. In total, 71 cases were reported stemming from the outbreak, all of which recovered.

There has been no indication from the GNWT that N.J. Macpherson would close again.

Six other exposure locations were flagged in the NWT:

• North Country Inn in Hay River on October 25th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and October 24th from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Glen’s Independent Grocer (Downtown) in Yellowknife on October 25th from 4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
• The Salvation Army Yellowknife on October 25th from 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
• Walmart in Yellowknife on October 22nd from 4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart in Yellowknife on October 22nd from 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
• Yellowknife Public Health – Jan Stirling Building in Yellowknife on October 22nd from 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

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There have been 10 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the territory since October 26th.

There are now 193 active cases among residents in the territory.

Yellowknife has gone down to 74 while Behchokǫ is also down to 44.

The number of active cases in Hay River continues to climb and is now at 65. Inuvik has climbed back up to seven active cases.

The total number of cases related to the Sahtu outbreak is at 1744. 1516 cases belonging to NWT residents and 24 out-of-territory cases have been resolved from the outbreak.

The total number of hospitalizations related to this outbreak remains at 55 while ICU admissions remain at 19.

The number of COVID-19 deaths in the NWT remains at 10.

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Halloween will be a little bit different this year across the NWT as trick or treating is not permitted in communities with gathering restrictions in place.

This means anyone in Kátł'odeeche First Nation or Behchokǫ̀ are not allowed to go trick or treating.

As for other NWT communities, trick or treating can take place however extra safety measures are strongly encouraged, especially in Hay River.

Residents are being told not to participate in Halloween festivities if:

• Activities are restricted in their community by Public Health Orders.
• They feel sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19.
• They are waiting to hear the results of a lab test for COVID-19.
• They or anyone in their household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not been declared recovered by their Healthcare Provider.
• They have been told by a health care provider that they must self-isolate after travel or be in isolation.
• They are in a household with someone self-isolating after travel or in mandatory isolation.
• They must self-isolate after travel or isolate as a person with COVID-19 or a contact.

Information on celebrating Halloween safely this year can be found on the GNWT's website.

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