'Absolutely nothing but a window to look out of': Yellowknife woman describes isolation room

A Yellowknife woman who tested negative to COVID-19 twice still finds herself in an government run isolation facility that basically consists of a single cot in an empty room.

The woman requested anonymity, which CBC granted, because she is seeking employment within the territorial government's Health Department, and was concerned about her comments affecting her chances.

The woman is currently at the Aspen Apartments on 51 Street, which is furnished with a cot, a single blanket, a TV that isn't hooked up to cable, a Brita water filter but no glasses, and a chair but no table. She said there is also no hand soap. 

"When I got here, there was absolutely no amenities whatsoever to make a person comfortable," she said.

"Absolutely nothing but a window to look out of."

She said the food often comes cold and she has no microwave to heat it up again. 

Her only relief from the boredom comes from the occasional cigarette break. 

The woman says she is being forced to isolate because two of her roommates tested positive for COVID-19 and she began developing symptoms. She has been at the Aspen Apartments since Jan. 10, and is required to stay for 10 days.  

She said she's unsure of why she couldn't just isolate in her apartment especially after testing negative, and she hasn't heard back from public health in days. 

She said there's no phone in the apartment, which could be dangerous for those without cell phones. 

The woman said the situation is made more stressful because she has had to take time off her job as a cashier and is unsure of how she will pay her rent next month. 

Dennis Marchiori is the director of compliance and enforcement operations with the territorial Department of Health and Social Services.

In an interview with CBC News, he said he recognizes that some of the accommodations may be lacking entertainment, but he said that isn't the government's priority. 

"While some of our locations are bare … we need to be able to provide a location for someone to shelter and be able to get them soon, so some of them do not have all the amenities," Marchiori said.