Some N.W.T. communities adopting COVID-19 measures in anticipation of spike in cases

Anticipating a spike in reported cases after the holidays, many N.W.T. communities are bringing in their own COVID-19 measures while waiting for rapid testing and updated case counts from the territorial government.

The N.W.T. government last reported the number of COVID-19 cases in the territory on Dec. 31, when it said there 160 active cases. That's more than six times the number of cases, 26, reported on Dec. 23.

As of Dec. 31, there were 132 cases in Yellowknife, Ndilo and Dettah, 10 in the Tłı̨chǫ region, eight in Fort Smith, four in the Beaufort Delta, three in the Dehcho, two in the Sahtu and one in Hay River.

In Dettah, Chief Edward Sangris is raising concerns that the outdated case numbers have communities "left in the dark" and as a result, the First Nation proactively shut down its offices.

"Until people start getting tested, and the government starts releasing those numbers, we don't really know the accurate amount of COVID[-19] in the communities," said Sangris.

The N.W.T. government has not communicated with the leadership about any rise in case counts — it's all word of mouth and from the news, he said.

Aklavik Mayor Andrew Charlie said his community will be in lockdown until at least Jan. 10.

Fort Good Hope Chief Tommy Kakfwi brought in restrictions too, and said he trusts his community will help cut the transmission of COVID-19. 

Kakfwi said if people have rapid testing kits, which are on backorder and in high demand, the community will happily take them.

"If there's a surplus someplace, send it to the community, we'd appreciate that. Put it on Northwright and they'll bring it to Fort Good Hope," he said.

Fort Providence has closed bars and restaurants, including at the Snowshoe Inn and Big River Service Centre, and limited the grocery store to pick up only.

Bingo is cancelled and the hamlet has set up a check stop at the junction, recommending travel only for medical trips or emergencies.

Sangris said that rapid tests are being promised for communities like Dettah, but he said Elders will need assistance learning how to administer the tests, especially if they are unilingual. 

When testing is available, and a person gets a positive result, they are being told to go to a family home which can cause further transmission to people who live with them, said Sangris.