Schools in Rankin Inlet and Arviat to reopen fully next week as COVID-19 case counts decline

Nunavut Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Patterson says the COVID-19 risk for students in schools in Rankin Inlet and Arviat is low, and schools in those communitieswill be reopening fully on Monday.

While many schools in Nunavut are fully open, Patterson has reduced capacity to 50 per cent in several communities where COVID-19 was spreading.

Patterson spoke during a live COVID-19 update Thursday morning, along with Premier P.J. Akeeagokand several ministers who were on hand to answer questions from media.

As of Feb. 1, aside from Arviat and Rankin Inlet, schools that had reduced capacity included those in Cambridge Bay, Baker Lake, Kinngait and Sanikiluaq. Schools in Coral Harbour, Igloolik and Taloyoak were closed to in-person learning.

Schools in Iqaluit returned to 100 per cent capacity on Jan. 31.

Missed the update? Watch it here:

Responding to a question about administrators stepping in to teach classes in Iqaluit because teachers are isolating due to COVID-19, Education Minister Pamela Gross said the Iqaluit District Education Authority can close schools if there aren't enough staff due to teachers isolating or staying at home.

"The specifics regarding teachers are not disclosed, but we have substitute teachers in each community that are there to support our schools," Gross said.

Rapid tests delayed

Akeeagok said there has been a delay from the federal government in getting a shipment of rapid antigen tests for frontline Nunavut workers.

While he gave no timeline for when those tests may arrive, he said the territory has been working on logistics "if and when they do come, so we're ready."

He said the territory has not requested additional assistance from the federal government, aside from face masks, nurses and contact tracers the federal government has already provided.

There were 442 active cases confirmed in Nunavut as of Thursday morning. Akeeagok said 19 of those are in Arviat, 44 in Baker Lake, 33 in Cambridge Bay, two in Chesterfield Inlet, 23 in Coral Harbour, 87 in Igloolik, 89 in Iqaluit, one in Gjoa Haven, 14 in Kinngait, four in Kugluktuk, eight in Pangnirtung, 13 in Pond Inlet, five in Qikiqtarjuaq, 29 in Rankin Inlet, nine in Sanirajak, 21 in Sanikiluaq, 36 in Taloyoak and five in Whale Cove.

He also reported 91 more recoveries as of Thursday. Since the outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 began, 775 people in Nunavut have recovered.

More cases at jail

Justice Minister David Akeeagoksaid there are now 49 people at theAaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility who have tested positive for COVID-19. Seven people there have recovered.

Those who have the virus are isolating in one wing of the facility.

David Akeeagok said there is enough flexibility at the facility to dedicate another wing to isolation as well, if that is needed.