Nunavik adds 14 new COVID-19 cases including in Kuujjuaq and Kangiqsujuaq

Nunavik health officials announced 14 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday for a total of 39 active cases across the region, including one new casein Kuujjuaq and one inKangiqsujuaq.

Right now, there are also 13 active cases in Ivujivik, twoin Inukjuak,18in Kangirsuk and four in Salluit,according to a news release fromNunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services.

There are also twonew cases, for a total of nine active cases, outside of the region, including five at Ullivik(the medical boarding home in Montreal). Fourcases have beenlinked to Nunavik airports.

Masks are mandatory in all indoor public places in Nunavik, for those who are vaccinated or not, the release says.

Kuujjuaq, Salluit, Ivujivik and Kangirsuk are on the red alert level, which means there's acomplete shutdown of all non essential public places such asschools,youth centres,churches and more,until further notice. All non-essential activities in the community are stopped.

Essential services such as the store and the clinic remain open though people should keep visits there to aminimum, the release says.

People in those villages are not allowed tovisit others or host visitors.

"There may be COVID-19 in other communities throughout Nunavik," the release said. "The risk is now at the highest it has ever been of catching COVID-19 everywhere in Nunavik."

Any community that is not under the red alert level is now under the orange alert level meaning that until Nov. 3:

• All public gatherings of more than 10 people (wedding ceremonies, mass, etc.) are cancelled.
• All meetings in Nunavik bringing people from different communities together are cancelled.
• Only essential travelis permitted within the region.

For rules specific to each community, check the health board'swebsite.

On TuesdayThe Kativik Regional Government (KRG) announced new restrictions for air travel. Passengers nowhave to wait outside of airport terminals in Nunavikuntil shortly before their flight.

The release says anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or thinks they may have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, should call their CLSC/Nursing Station or the Info Health Line at 1-888-662-7482.