New confirmed case of COVID-19 in Rankin Inlet

Rankin Inlet, Nunavut (September 8, 2021) – Dr. Rosann Seviour, Nunavut’s Acting Chief Public Health Officer, has confirmed a new positive case of COVID-19 in Rankin Inlet.
“The new case was identified on September 8 in Rankin Inlet and is now isolating,” said Dr. Seviour. “The individual arrived in the community on September 7 from Southern Canada and was working in Nunavut with a vaccine exemption. The new case is unrelated to the previous case identified on August 29.”
Contact tracing is complete and the risk to the community is considered low at this time. There will be no other changes to public health measures at this time.
As the individual is not a Nunavut resident, the case will not be counted in Nunavut.
The Department of Health is also advising of possible exposure to COVID-19 relating to this new positive case on Canadian North flight 300 departing from Winnipeg on September 7 at 9:35 a.m. and arriving in Rankin Inlet at 11:30 a.m. and Calm Air Flight 232 departing from Rankin Inlet to Naujaat at Noon on September 7. The flight did not land in Naujaat due to weather and returned to Rankin Inlet.
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals who were seated in rows 3 to 9 on Canadian North Flight 300 or the last four rows of Calm Air Flight 232 should call the hotline at 1-888-975-8601 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST to arrange for testing. Vaccinated individuals may call for testing 72 hours after the flight. Everyone on the flight should monitor for symptoms for 14 days (September 21) and anyone who develops symptoms must isolate immediately and call the hotline for testing.
Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 is advised to call the COVID-hotline to arrange testing or notify their community health centre right away. Please do not go to the health centre in person.
Vaccine continues to be available across the territory. Call your health centre to make an appointment or walk into Iqaluit Public Health every weekday for Moderna (18+) and Wednesday for Pfizer (ages 12 to 17). Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community.