N.W.T.'s active COVID-19 case count drops below 50, public exposure notices issued

The number of active COVID-19 cases in the Northwest Territories dropped to fewer than 50 for the first time since an outbreak began in mid-August.

According to the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO), there were 47 active cases in the N.W.T. as of Friday, a drop of 17 from Thursday.

Yellowknife, Dettah and Ndil had 24 active cases, six fewer than on Thursday.

There remain seven cases in Inuvik.

In Behchok, there were nine cases, seven fewer than the day prior. The OCPHO said the travel restrictions the community is under will be lifted on Monday at 11:59 p.m.

It also reported that junior kindergarten to Grade 12 students in the community will continue remote learning next week and return to in-person classes on Nov. 15.

Meanwhile, the public health orders for Hay River and K'atl'odeeche First Nation, where there are seven cases, two fewer than yesterday, will be lifted Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Students in Hay River schools will return to in-person learning on Monday.

The public health orders for all three communities will be replaced by the territory-wide public health order that limits the number of visitors allowed inside one's hometo five. That limit goes up to25 if everyone is fully vaccinated.

It also limits indoor gatherings to 25 people and outdoor gatherings to 50 people. Businesses and organizations that want to exceed those capacity limits can apply for an exemption and participate in the territory's proof-of-vaccine program.

Public exposure notices

The territory also issued a pair of public exposure notices in Inuvikon Friday evening.

One notice is for anyone who attended Grade 4 and 6 classes at East Three Elementary School on Nov. 3 and 4.

Public health said letters have been sent home to parents and guardians with advice on what to do. All other staff and children at the school should monitor for symptoms, said public health.

The second notice is for those who were at the Midnight Sun Complexice arena from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 2. Fully vaccinated individuals should monitor for symptoms, while people who aren't fully vaccinated should isolate and get tested, said public health.