Updated re-opening plan expected in 2-3 weeks, says N.W.T.'s top doctor

The Northwest Territories chief public health officer and medical director said Thursday residents can expect an updated re-opening plan in the next two to three weeks.

"The first relaxation will be outdoors and the second will be indoors," said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola during The Trailbreaker's bi-weekly COVID-19 call-in show on CBC Radio One.

"The plan will be out, but there will be metrics we have to achieve to go through the different phases."

Kandola and N.W.T. medical director Dr. AnneMarie Pegg took questions about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, a Yukon travel bubble and ventilation in schools and workplaces, among other things.

There are now four active cases of COVID-19 in the territory, affecting three N.W.T. residents and one non-resident. 

Will mask restrictions ease once the remaining Yellowknife cases recover?

Mask mandates put in place during the Yellowknife COVID-19 outbreak will likely be lifted after school is out for the summer, said Kandola.

"Having the mask in schools is a public health measure that can really limit spread and keep schools open till late June," she said.

The recommendation to avoid non-essential travel in and out of Yellowknife will be lifted "relatively soon," said Kandola, adding that she anticipates the three remaining active cases to be recovered by early next week.

When will second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine be available?

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available for 12-to-17-year-olds in N.W.T. 

Pegg said dates for second dose availability will be announced when the territory is "more aware of our vaccine supply" and able to "ensure that we're able to provide first doses to those youth who are eligible."

She said young people can get their second dose any time between three and 16 weeks after their first shot. 

"Some kids are coming up to eligibility at three weeks post-dose one, but we do know that extending that a little longer doesn't alter at all the vaccine effectiveness or efficacy," said Pegg. 

Young people in Fort Smith, Hay River and Inuvik can get the Pfizer vaccine this week.

Planning is underway to get that vaccine to communities outside the hubs "ideally before the school year ends," said Pegg.

Pegg reminded all residents that it's not too late to get a shot, and the Moderna vaccine is still available to people over 18 years of age.

Is it OK for a partially-vaccinated person to drop prevention measures among family and friends?

Kandola said it's important for people to adhere to public health protocols, even if they're vaccinated.

She said during the COVID-19 outbreak connected to N.J. Macpherson School in Yellowknife, seven adults who were fully or partially vaccinated tested positive for COVID-19.

To vaccinated people, she said, "when you're having close, prolonged contact in terms of a household situation with a case, you may experience milder symptoms, but you may still get the infection."

Kandola urged everyone to continue washing their hands, wearing a mask, and staying home when sick.

How do you balance COVID-19 safety with the wellness of a family when there is aversion to testing?

Kandola was asked about a family who was forced to isolate for 24 days because their child, who has autism, wouldn't take the invasive COVID-19 nasal swab test. 

She said the territory is looking at less invasive testing methods, such as the swish and gargle test. British Columbia offers this test to children in Kindergarten up to Grade 12.   

The N.J. Macpherson School outbreak led to 71 cases and affected 43 households, said Kandola. Three of those cases remain active.

She said of the children who tested positive, 41 per cent had no symptoms. 

"It's a very stealth virus," said Kandola.

She said the territory is trying to prevent further school outbreaks, while at the same time, trying to keep schools open until the end of the academic year. 

Has the government considered retrofitting schools and workplaces for improved ventilation?

Kandola said her office worked with the territorial Department of Education, Culture and Employment last summer on HVAC system assessments, but didn't elaborate on what came of that. 

She said as the weather warms up, the best way to improve ventilation is to keep windows open wherever possible.  

What's the latest on a Yukon travel bubble?

The N.W.T. is working with Yukon on a "data sharing agreement" that would allow travel between the two territories without a mandatory isolation period, she said.

"Once that's signed off, we'll announce the lifting of travel restrictions with that territory," said Kandola. 

Kandola said her office continues to monitor the pandemic landscape, but decreasing cases across Canada and increasing numbers of vaccinated people are positive signs.

However, "we need to still improve our vaccine uptake," she said.

In Yukon, 69 per cent of the population has received both doses, while in N.W.T., that figure is 60 per cent, said Kandola. 

Watch the Q+A live here or on our CBC NWT Facebook page.