COVID-19 reported in three Labrador Inuit communities in Atlantic Canada

COVID-19 is now being reported in three Labrador Inuit communities, the Nunatsiavut Government said on Monday. 

Nunatsiavut’s population of 2,560 is spread out between five communities along the coast of Labrador in Atlantic Canada: Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet.

The three communities currently reporting cases are Nain, Hopedale and Rigolet.

The communities of Postville and Makkovik have no reported cases to date, but health authorities in the region caution that COVID-19 will likely eventually show up everywhere.

‘Will eventually be present in all communities’

On Friday, the government said it would no longer give cases counts per community in order to prevent stigmatization, especially in communities with small populations and people’s health status might be easily found out.

“This decision is being made to protect the privacy of individuals, especially if case numbers are low in any given community,” the government said.

“Public health officials have advised that it is likely COVID-19 will eventually be present in all communities, even if there are no confirmed cases, and that any numbers disclosed will not be a true
reflection of current activity.”

The Nunatsiavut Government said starting this week, they’ll give COVID-19 updates every Monday and Thursday.

Earlier this month, the Nuntasiavut Government called for a stop to non-essential travel to and between communities in order to limit the spread of the Omicron variant.

Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn@cbc.ca

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: All communities in Nunavik, Quebec moved to COVID-19 red alert level, Eye on the Arctic

Greenland: Greenland gov grants mayor’s request for alcohol ban amidst rising COVID-19 cases, Eye on the Arctic

Sweden: Swedish government announces new restrictions following sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, Radio Sweden