A COVID Count Of Zero?

The BBC has uncovered a remarkable piece of news that has yet to be widely covered in the Canadian media: there have been zero cases of COVID-19 in Canada’s far northern territory of Nunavut.

This story features an interview with Michael Patterson, the Medical Officer of Health for Nunavut. Dr. Patterson says major strategy to control the virus so far is to keep it out. The vast majority of people travel to Nunavut by plane. Everyone who goes there is required to first isolate in a controlled facility before they are allowed to fly in.

Dr. Patterson also has no illusions that this strategy will work forever. Further, he’s quite blunt about the health resources available to manage the outbreak. Nunavut continues an ongoing campaign to control tuberculosis, an illness that has largely been eradicated in the rest of the country.  There is one 35 bed hospital serving 36,000 people who are spread over 25 communities. Overflow and acute cases are evacuated by air to southern hospitals.

The “keep the virus out” strategy makes a lot of sense, especially considering the housing situation in Nunavut. The housing conditions have been identified as one of the reasons that tuberculosis is still prevalent there.¹ It is also more likely that a resident of Nunavut is living in crowded conditions and/or a home that needs major repairs than in any other part of the country. This makes it very difficult for residents self-isolate and practice safe hygiene.²

Having no illusions about being able to keep the virus out is also wise counsel. The remote community of LaLoche, Saskatchewan has similar housing conditions to Nunavut. The virus arrived later in Laloche than in other parts of that province, but when it did, it hit hard. The advice of local leaders there is to “be prepared.” They also report that responding to the virus brought the community closer together.³

Would Nunavut’s preparations include a strategy of its neighbour, The Northwest Territories,⁴ which has encouraged its residents to leave settled communities and live on the land? It is a traditional way of life for indigenous residents and would make social isolation easier. Undertaking a land based strategy would also require planning and preparation as it involves a year round cycle of gathering and preparing food, clothing and other essentials. No doubt, Dr. Patterson has these and other ideas in mind for the days ahead.

You can read more about Nunavut’s COVID-19 story at the BBC: Coronavirus: The place in North America with no cases

1. Try: Updated: A Housing Way To Fight Aboriginal Tuberculosis
2. Try: Staying Home Is Not The Centre Point Of All COVID-19 Responses
3. Try: Be Ready For COVID: Useful Advice From A Hard-Struck Indigenous Community
4. The Northwest Territories, is similarly isolated, although there is road access.