Nunavut closes Taloyoak school, announces vaccination clinic schedule
CBC
The only school in Taloyoak, Nunavut, has been closed until at least Feb. 7 by the territory's chief public health officer.
In a press released issued late Thursday afternoon, Dr. Michael Patterson announced the closure of the Netsilik Ilihakvik School because contact tracing had "identified an increased risk of exposure to the student population."
Anyone contacted by public health has been told to monitor for symptoms — runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, or difficulty breathing — and if symptoms develop they've been asked to call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-975-8601.
A number of schools in the territory have been open at half capacity since last week.
Earlier this week the community of Igloolik was put under strict health measures, including a ban on visiting in homes and a limit of five people for outdoor gatherings. At a press conference Thursday morning Health Minister John Main urged people to get vaccinated. Although he stressed it was a personal choice, he also said people shouldn't be mislead by some who are using radio and social media to "spread lies" about COVID-19 vaccinations.
The territory also announced a schedule for second dose clinics for five to 11-year-olds. The second does is available to children who received their first dose at least eight weeks ago.
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.