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.

I hear that concern and I respect it, but I want to reassure all residents – whatever community they live in – that the Government of the Northwest Territories is doing everything possible to protect you from COVID-19.

Knowing what communities COVID-19 is in will not make you safer. What makes you safer is respecting the orders the Chief Public Health Officer has given to help keep all NWT residents safe.

This does not mean we can stop COVID-19 from entering the territory or from reaching small communities.

But it does mean that we can make sure that we have the right measures in place to slow the spread in whatever community it is in.

And it does mean that we have plans to provide safe and appropriate treatment to those people who need it, regardless of where in the NWT you are located.

The measures that Dr. Kandola has implemented – especially the direction for travellers and people with symptoms to self-isolate – are the measures that will keep COVID-19 from spreading to our people.

And when people do get sick, our health and social services system and the people who work in it are ready to provide the care that those people need…safely, and without creating additional risk for the patient, the community or our staff.

I want to thank and acknowledge these people who are putting themselves at the service of all residents of the NWT right now.

We are all disappointed that COVID-19 has been discovered in more communities this week, but we should not be surprised by that fact. COVID-19 is everywhere in the world, it is here in Canada, and it is here in the Northwest Territories.

But we do not have to be discouraged by that. We have been preparing for weeks in the NWT and we know what we have to do to help flatten the curve and slow the spread in our communities.

We need everyone – everyone – to follow the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer. Be vigilant on behalf of yourselves and your loved ones. Stay home, maintain physical distance, but stay connected and support each other online or by telephone. We need to be on top of hand washing, cough into our elbows and do our best to not touch our faces.

To all people who have fallen ill this week I want to say that our thoughts are with you, and I wish you well.