Good afternoon.

As the Premier said, these are unprecedented times.

We put a name on it three weeks ago when we called a Public Health Emergency.

In declaring this emergency, we empowered the Northwest Territories Chief Public Health Officer to take the necessary extraordinary steps to meet this challenge, and protect our territory.

We’ve restricted entry in our territory, mandated self-isolation for residents returning to the NWT, and moved aggressively to educate people on behaviors they should practice and why we all must be in this together.

Good Afternoon.

Today we’re here to talk to media and residents about how the Government of the Northwest Territories will enforce orders made by the Chief Public Health Officer to protect NWT residents and communities.

For weeks now, responding to the impacts of COVID-19 has been the top priority for government officials all across this country and across the world.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, a public health emergency that needs to be taken seriously.  In the Northwest Territories, we are taking this very seriously, and our decisions reflect that.

Unprecedented times are being met with unprecedented measures as the Northwest Territories responds to COVID-19.

Premier Cochrane, Minister Thom, and NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola today announced the formation of the NWT Compliance and Enforcement Taskforce with the mandate to strengthen the territory’s public health enforcement actions to protect the public health of all NWT residents.

Check against delivery

I want to echo the Premier’s comments that we all need to follow the advice and direction of the Chief Public Health Officer.

She is an expert in protecting public health and the decisions she is making are going to protect NWT residents in both large and small communities.

I understand that people are very concerned about their health and safety. The GNWT is very concerned too. That is why we have taken the steps we have to protect residents over the past three weeks.

Check against delivery 

Thank you for joining us this morning.

Once again, we have some unhappy news that we’re here to discuss: the confirmation of two additional COVID-19 cases in the Northwest Territories, including our first case in a small community.

I know that people are concerned for their health, especially the people in small communities.

I also know that people are concerned to know if COVID-19 is in your community.

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