The Health Services Administration office in Inuvik is currently experiencing delays in processing health care card renewal forms. Due to these delays, NWT residents with recently expired health care cards will continue to receive physician and hospital services.

At this time, we advise that NWT residents continue to submit their health care card renewal forms as usual.

To submit a renewal form, the public can either:

Minister of Health and Social Services Diane Thom extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency on April 1, which was first declared 14 days prior under the Northwest Territories Public Health Act.

This extension is due to the continued need for response to the COVID-19 global pandemic to protect public health in the Northwest Territories.

The Public Health Emergency was extended upon the recommendation of Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola.

Check against delivery 

Good afternoon.

Just before this press conference, I was informed we have confirmed a second case of COVID-19 in the NWT.

We issued a Public Health Advisory as soon as the patient was notified, and we had enough facts to communicate to the public.

We apologize about the late notice, and we understand this would ideally have been done in person.

Premier Caroline Cochrane issued the following statement on the confirmation of a second case of COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories today:

"I was saddened to hear that the Chief Public Health Officer had confirmed a second case of COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories today. My thoughts are with this person and their family and I wish them well as they deal with this infection. While we knew that it was only reasonable to expect more cases would be discovered in the Northwest Territories, this news still comes as a disappointment to many.

Everyone is urged to Protect Our Elders in two new campaigns to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The Northwest Territories Association of Communities (NWTAC), Music NWT, and the GNWT have teamed up to run these campaigns.

Our goal is to build solidarity during the COVID-19 crisis, and get residents to recognize that changing behaviors isn’t just about them – it’s about the people they love, and our most vulnerable community-members.

Protect Our Elders: A Community Campaign To Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

The GNWT’s online self-assessment tool for COVID-19 for residents has been completed nearly 2500 times after launching just days ago.

The tool will help assess any symptoms, travel history, and other variables to help you know what you should do to protect yourself and your community. You can complete it for yourself, or you can complete it for someone else. The tool collects no personal information.

Effective March 24, 2020, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), Paulie Chinna, declared a territory-wide  State of Emergency under the Emergency Management Act to support ongoing efforts to protect public health in the Northwest Territories.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Diane Thom, is announcing the following adjustments to health and social services operations that create new pathways to access care, while also enhancing social distancing. These steps are being taken to ensure the health system can reserve and reallocate existing resources, protect our vulnerable populations, and reduce potential for spread and exposure for our staff and the public.

Starting immediately the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) will:

Effective immediately, NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola has ordered all travel into the Northwest Territories prohibited with limited exceptions to combat COVID-19 in the territory.

This order is made under the NWT’s Public Health Act, using the additional powers granted to the Chief Public Health Officer during a Public Health Emergency.

Good afternoon.

Today, our territory confirmed its first case of COVID-19.

First of all, I’d like to echo Premier Cochrane’s message of support to those affected.

These things are hard — for the individuals who contract the virus, for friends, for families, and for our communities.

Our thoughts are with you. And so too are our actions.