Julie Green: COVID-19 Health and Social Services Update

Mr. Speaker, it has been nearly two years since the first COVID-19 cases emerged in China and rapidly spread throughout the world. Throughout the course of this pandemic, we have faced many challenges, yet we have been able to adapt quickly and respond when and where needed as we continue to learn about this disease.

Vaccination has been an essential part of our COVID response. In June, we released Emerging Wisely 2021, a road map with specific vaccination targets that allow for the safe and measured easing of restrictions. This plan is based on data, and in the early part of summer 2021, the data allowed us to reduce or eliminate self-isolation requirements for NWT residents based on their vaccination status.

We continue to work in collaboration with Indigenous and community governments to implement vaccination campaigns at the territorial, regional, and community levels. Through this collaboration, and by providing additional community vaccine clinics, 81% of the NWT population 12 years and older is now fully vaccinated.  We have also had good uptake on third doses or booster shots for eligible residents over 18.

This summer, Canada, and many other countries around the world, experienced a rapid rise of the Delta Variant, a more infectious variant of COVID-19. Due to increased travel in August, as well as larger gatherings taking place across the territory, the NWT began to see surges of COVID infections in some communities.

The Sahtú region was the first to experience large scale outbreaks with community transmission. Surges followed in Behchokǫ̀, Whatı̀, Yellowknife, Ndılǫ, Dettah, Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation. To contain these outbreaks, the Chief Public Health Officer placed temporary restrictions on gatherings. By following the temporary measures and public health recommendations, case counts in these communities came down, and public health measures were lifted. We know the measures were challenging and I want to commend residents and local leadership for their commitment to following the orders and advice.  I also want to commend the healthcare system which was quick to mobilize increased testing clinic hours, and redeploying staff to affected communities to support contact tracing and care for those infected. Due to staff shortages, we asked for and received additional staffing support from the federal government and the Canadian Red Cross.

These outbreaks, including most recently in Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik, combined with the fact that the seven-day average of daily new cases in Canada remains over 1,000, means that Emerging Wisely 2021 is still on pause. The Chief Public Health Officer is watching case counts here and across the country to assess the risk of importing COVID to the NWT via travel.

Mr. Speaker, to improve early detection of COVID-19 and to help reduce the spread, we have implemented two new programs. The COVID-19 at-home student screening program, which launched last month, detects early infection among asymptomatic children to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools. The program is being offered in 13 schools across the territory, including schools in Yellowknife, Behchokǫ̀, Hay River, Inuvik, Ndılǫ and Dettah. These schools were selected because they are the largest elementary schools in the territory or because they are near a large outbreak centre and have high housing density.  Over 1000 tests have been completed by student volunteers as of November 16.  We are grateful to the families who have volunteered to take part in this program. It helped in the early identification and containment of COVID-19 cases among students at East Three Elementary School in Inuvik. Additional schools may be added in the future.

The DetectNWT Program, also implemented last month, provides an option for businesses and organizations to apply for rapid antigen tests, allowing them to run their own COVID-19 screening programs.  Priority is being given to those who work in high-risk settings and workplaces; essential services; sectors that support economic and social activities; and to those who work with vulnerable populations. Over 40 businesses and organizations are taking part in this program to date.

Mr. Speaker, as we have seen over the past few months, the COVID situation can change dramatically at any time. This is why an NWT-Wide Mandatory Face Mask Requirement and Gathering Order continues to be in effect this winter. Under the Gathering Order, non-essential businesses, organizations, other gatherings are limited to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Businesses and organizations may increase these limits by applying for an application to vary from public health order requirements. This measure requires applicants to implement a proof of vaccination program in order to increase their gathering capacity. Residents attending the gathering or entering the business or organization’s space have to be fully vaccinated.  To date, over 340 requests to implement the proof of vaccination program have been approved.

Mr. Speaker, the surge in cases in various communities across the territory, along with the public health orders issued to address these outbreaks, have not been easy for anyone. This is especially true for health care professionals across the NWT who have been working tirelessly as part of our COVID response. Other parts of the healthcare system have felt the strain from COVID as well. As staff have been redeployed and shuffled around to assist where they are needed, everyone has had to adjust and adapt. I thank our nurses, doctors, technicians, administrators, and all other health care workers in the NWT for their dedication and commitment to keeping us all healthy and safe.

To do our part, we as residents must continue to follow public health measures and get vaccinated. I encourage anyone over 18 who was vaccinated six months ago or more to get a COVID booster shot. Booster shots give our immune system a boost and provide greater protection against COVID-19.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has recently approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children over the age of five and we are beginning our vaccination campaign for this age group. We know that schools are high risk environments for the spread of COVID. Vaccinating school-aged children is vital to protecting them from the virus, and to protecting others in their household, family, and community. This important step in our COVID response will help to keep children safe and will help to ensure schools remain open for in-person learning in the Northwest Territories. It will also protect the capacity of our health system and ensure it remains available for everyone who needs it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.