1st confirmed COVID-19 case announced in Fort Liard, N.W.T.

A Fort Liard, N.W.T., resident has tested positive for COVID-19, theNorthwest Territories' chief public health officer announced Saturday.

The positive case is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Fort Liard, a hamlet nearly 545 kilometres southwest of Yellowknife. It isrelated to travel outside the territory, said Dr. Kami Kandola in a news release Saturday, adding thatthe person is currently isolating and doing well.

Known close contacts are self-isolating and a rapid response team is going to the community to assist further, said Kandola. The team will work to gather more information about potential risks topublic health.

The investigation is in its early stages,but there is "some likelihood" of additional COVID-19 cases, said Kandola though, there are currently no public exposure notices.

For the time being, people in Fort Liard should avoid gatherings of any size with people outside their household, said Kandola.

Public health officials may issue more local recommendations when they get more information about the situation in Fort Liard, says the news release.

Kandola remindseveryone to self-isolate when required, practice physical distancing, stay home whenfeeling unwell, and for residents to call their local health centre to arrange a test at the first sign of symptoms.

Acho Dene Koe First Nation offers support

In a statement on Saturday, Acho Dene Koe First Nationsaid it had told Fort Liard MayorHillary Deneronthat the First Nation is ready to provide the hamlet with personnel and financialsupport if need be.

"At the beginning [of] the pandemic the band provided the municipality with $20,000 to help the hamlet if such a case or cases were to arise and the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) was to be activated," reads the statement.

"The First Nation remains committed to [supporting] its members and the municipality."

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Sean Whelly, mayor of Fort Simpson, N.W.T., about 285 kilometres northeast of Fort Liard, urged residents to be "cautious but not panicked."

He advised people in Fort Simpson to wear masks in public places, and said anyone who was recently in contact with someone from Fort Liardshould be "extra cautious."

In an earlier Facebook post, he said masks are now available at the Northern Store and Unity Store.