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Public Health Emergency, State of Emergency extended across NWT

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The four latest cases in Fort Smith bring to 15 the total number of confirmed Covid infections in the NWT. Pixabay photo

The Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency have been extended across the NWT from April 29 until May 12.

The extensions were made due to the ongoing need to protect public health during the Covid-19 pandemic, the GNWT said in a news release on Tuesday afternoon.

"These extensions...do not indicate a significant change in circumstances or an increased risk to the people of the NWT," the release said.

Diane Thom, Minister of Health and Social Services extended the Public Health Emergency under the Northwest Territories’ Public Health Act based on the recommendation of Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) Kami Kandola.

Premier Caroline Cochrane, as Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, extended the state of emergency under the Emergency Management Act.

A Public Health Emergency empowers the CPHO to take binding actions to protect all residents in the territory, and to quickly respond to the daily and changing needs of the healthcare system as it faces the pandemic.

Even though all five confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the NWT were reported to have recovered on April 20, the territory is still at risk of a nationwide spread reaching the NWT and "Dr. Kandola has indicated she will continue to recommend extensions to the Public Health Emergency until the situation has changed considerably across Canada."

"The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) continues to enhance our response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an ongoing effort to protect the health of the residents of the Northwest Territories.

"All residents are reminded to follow the orders and advice from the Chief Public Health Officer during this challenging time."