Health officials in Canada’s Northwest Territories extends Behchokǫ COVID-19 containment order until Oct. 29

The containment order currently in place for Behchokǫ is being extended by one week, until Oct. 29. While the number of COVID-19 cases is decreasing, the situation is not resolving as quickly as expected, said the territory’s chief public health officer. (Walter Strong/CBC)

Situation not resolving as quickly as expected, says N.W.T. chief public health officer

The containment order to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Behchokǫ, N.W.T., will be extended an extra week, to Oct. 29, the N.W.T. chief public health officer said Thursday.

The current containment order was scheduled to be lifted Friday at 5 p.m., and replaced with a territory-wide public health order.

In an early Thursday evening news release, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola said that although the number of cases continues to decrease in the community — the number of reported active cases in Behchokǫ peaked at 163 on Oct. 7, and stands Thursday at 66 —  the situation in Behchokǫ is not resolving as quickly as expected.

She said the chain of transmission for some people in the community who tested positive for COVID-19 today was not clear.

Kandola said that indicates community transmission is still going on in Behchokǫ, and is posing a risk to the health and safety of residents.

Kandola said she made the decision after consulting with local leadership in the community.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Kuujjuaq on lockdown, case in Kangiqsujuaq, airport restrictions in place across Nunavik, Quebec, Eye on the Arctic

Greenland: Greenland lifts COVID-19 restrictions on direct travel to small communities, Eye on the Arctic

Iceland: Iceland to soften COVID-19 rules on Oct. 20, plans full lifting of restrictions next month, Eye on the Arctic

United States: Rural Alaska at risk as COVID-19 surge swamps faraway hospitals, The Associated Press

Antarctica: U.K. delivers COVID-19 vaccine to British station in Antarctica, Eye on the Arctic

CBC News

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