Schools in Yellowknife area not likely to reopen soon, Dr. Kami Kandola says

Dr. Kami Kandola, Northwest Territories chief public health officer, says it's not likely schools will reopen after the current 10-day closure is up.

Kandola said that's because the territory doesn't know what the sources of the cases are and some of them involve the school age population. 

She said the outbreaks in Yellowknife, Ndilǫ and Dettah have not peaked, meaning more cases will come.

"If we were to open schools with this high rate of activity, we for sure would have introduction in the most vulnerable population, which is our JK to Grade 6 [students], because they're not eligible for the vaccine," Kandola said.

"We have to weigh in-class learning with the risk for outbreaks, not population. Once that risk is a lot lower, then we can consider opening up to in-person learning."

Kandola and Scott Robertson, executive co-lead of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority's COVID-19 operations, took questions live on The Trailbreaker Wednesday morning.

53 cases in kids under 4

In the N.W.T., there are 261 active cases, the majority of which (165) are in Yellowknife. Since mid-August, there have been 899 confirmed cases, and since the start of the pandemic, there have been a total of 1,019 confirmed cases. There have also been six COVID-related deaths, since the start of the pandemic, 33 hospitalizations and 12 ICU admissions.

Kandola said about 70 per cent of total hospitalizations involve people who are not fully vaccinated.

As well, there have been 53 cases are in zero to four year olds, and 184 cases in five to 14 year olds.

There were 15 new cases added to the active case count, announced Tuesday.

"I was hoping for less active cases after the weekend after we put in the more restrictive order but unfortunately, we're still seeing the high rate of activity," Kandola said.

She said the plan is to give an update on the COVID-19 response sometime this week.

Here are a few more questions that got answered:

When will vaccines be available to children under 12?

Robertson said health officials are waiting for guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and from the N.W.T.'s Office of the Chief Public Health Officer before it can immunize children under 12. But when they do get the green light, he said they'll be ready.

"Our teams are preparing to be able to roll the vaccine campaign as soon as that approval becomes available in terms of ensuring that we have location staff and all the equipment and supplies that we need to immediately launch," he said.

What's the state of the N.W.T.'s healthcare system?

Robertson said there's a "huge appreciation for the staff that are putting in an incredible amount of work and overtime to keep our system running."

"Our nurses, our physicians, our support staff are all working very, very hard to deal with the the multiple outbreaks that we face as well as continue to provide health care services as much as we can continue to," he said.

Right now, Robertson said there is still capacity in N.W.T.'s ICU. He added territorial officials continue to be in "frequent discussions," as recently as last night, with Alberta, around reassurances about that N.W.T. residents will be considered the same as Alberta residents.

"We do have more discussions with Alberta today to discuss the current state of their capacity and any contingency plan that we needed to be a part of, as the capacity in Alberta continues to be very, very tight," he said.

Is it safe to travel within N.W.T. right now?

Kandola said at this point the territory has recommended that people do not come to Yellowknife, Ndilǫ or Dettah for non-essential travel for now.

She said people who do travel to those communities should call their health centre and arrange for testing when they get home.

Is it possible the territory will reintroduce travel restrictions within the territory?

Kandola said that's being looked at today, especially in the regions that are being hit the hardest.

What should I do if I see somebody who is symptomatic, and not staying home and not getting tested?

People can call Protect N.W.T. so it can be investigated, Kandola said.

She added employers who noticed employees who might be sick should send them home and ask them to get tested and to isolate.

Will the annual flu vaccine be offered this year too?

Yes, Robertson said. That will start around late October.

People in Yellowknife are congregating at the new playground. Is this allowed?

Kandola said the territory has been in discussion with the City of Yellowknife, and that signs have been put up that outline the public health order, where a maximum of 25 people can gather at outdoor locations.

"What parents have to realize is that we have widespread community transmission in Yellowknife, and that includes school-aged kids," she said.

"You're taking that risk of exposing your child."

Where can I find my immunization record?

Immunization records have to be requested from the territory. Robertson said people can also go to their local health centre and request it, though people should keep in mind that staff there are very busy there.

Or, people can get a request form to fill out online, and send in by email along with picture ID.