Greenland reports eight new COVID-19 cases

Greenland reported eight new COVID-19 cases on Monday bringing the total count up to 46.
“The spread of infection in Greenland is now so extensive that new cases can occur anywhere in the country,” the Greenland government said in a news release.
“Travel activity is contributing to this and further infection spread is inevitable.”
Six of the new cases are in Aasiaat, one is in the town of Qasigiannguit, and one is in the capital city of Nuuk.
Officials suspect Delta variant
The government described the possibility of further infection as “high,” saying people with the cases identified Monday had all been diagnosed after traveling, and are related to the current outbreaks in Aasiaat and Upernavik.
It’s asking everyone that flew on flight GL 205 from Upernavik to Ilulissat on July 27, and everyone on flight GL533 from Ilulissat to Aasiaat on July 28, to get tested.
Officials say they presume the highly contagious Delta variant is responsible for recent infections.
Greenland lifted COVID-19 restrictions across the island for vaccinated people on July 31 except for the Aasiaat and Upernavik regions.

Greenland has a population of 56,421.
As of August 3, 36,672 people have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 26,132 have been fully vaccinated with two doses.
Write to Eilís at eilis.quinn@cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Outbreak declared over in Arctic Canadian city of Iqaluit, says chief public health officer, CBC News
Finland: Santa joins former Eurovision winner Lordi at Lapland vaccination clinic to help boost jab uptake in Finland, Yle News
Greenland: COVID-19 rules continue in two places after infection clusters, but will be relaxed as planned in rest of Greenland, Eye on the Arctic
United States: Cruise ship arrives in Skagway, Alaska after passenger flown home with COVID-19, CBC News