Yellowknife — May 12, 2021
The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) is removing the temporary COVID-19 restrictions put in place for school closures in Yellowknife, Ndilǫ̨, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories (NWT). This order also included after-school and other extracurricular programs. This change is effective May 17, 2021.
The N.J. Macpherson School outbreak remains contained. Cases of active COVID-19 are currently among students, contacts of students and their household members. Cases have not spread to staff members in the school, nor into the community. Therefore, the OCPHO determines it is safe for students to return to school and resume other programs and activities on Monday, May 17.
The CPHO would like to stress that the outbreak related to N.J. Macpherson School still poses a risk to the public. There are still individuals with active COVID-19 infections and ongoing household transmission. It is imperative that those who are in isolation at this time continue to comply with public health directions.
Please note the following:
- Any contacts (red category listed in public exposure notifications) need to be tested before ending their isolation (See Backgrounder).
- Anyone who is a contact of COVID-19 (red category listed in public exposure notifications) should consult with Public Health about when to end isolation.
- Anyone with confirmed COVID-19 and their household members must complete the full mandatory isolation period before returning to school (See Backgrounder).
School boards remain in close consultation with the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) on procedures around safe resumption of in-person learning and activities. This includes indoor masking in classrooms, additional cleaning requirements, and enhanced symptom checks. These measures apply to after-school and other extracurricular programs as feasible. School boards will provide information about school re-openings to parents and students
The OCPHO anticipates that by Friday May 14th, 2021, 60 percent of those aged 12-17 in Yellowknife, Ndilǫ̨, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀ combined, will have received their first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
If you are isolating, and have any further questions, please call Yellowknife Public Health at (867) 767-9120.
Quotes
“The response to the NJ Macpherson outbreak is an example of how safety and preparedness have been our top priorities since the pandemic began, and the response to contain this outbreak is an example of the hard work of so many to protect residents and communities. We wouldn’t be in the position we are with this outbreak if it wasn’t for the collective effort of our community. Thank you everyone who has gone above and beyond to protect our community from further spread.”
- Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories
“I am happy to hear that that risk to the public has lowered and children can return to school safely. Let’s make sure to remember there are many people who remain in isolation. Let’s continue to do what we can to support them, be kind to one another, and together we will get through this close call.”
-Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services
“Protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, school staff, families and communities has been always been our top priority and will continue to be as we transition back to in class learning. Please continue to follow the guidance and recommendations from the CPHO, get vaccinated if you are eligible and be kind to one another.”
-R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
“We have not identified new infections emerging in people not connected to the current school outbreak. But that doesn’t mean we can let down our guard. There is still a long road ahead, especially for families who need to continue isolation. We can all help those isolating by making sure our neighbours, families, and friends have the materials and the support they need. This is a community effort.”
- Dr. Kami Kandola, Chief Public Health Officer
Related links
Media Requests, please contact:
Dawn Ostrem
Manager, COVID Communications Operations
Health and Social Services
COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat
