Iqaluit Declares State of Emergency

Published at: May 04 2021 - 10:37 / Updated at: May 04 2021 - 10:37

Iqaluit City Council has declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak that arrived in Nunavut’s capital more than two weeks ago, according to Nunatsiaq News.

The declaration passed unanimously by councillors during an emergency meeting Monday afternoon.

Council’s move came as the outbreak’s impact continues to expand. Over the weekend, Iqaluit’s low-barrier shelter was forced to close its doors due to a COVID-related staffing shortage.

To date there have been 1,533 tests conducted in Iqaluit. Of those, 125, or roughly eight per cent, have been positive. There are now 81 active COVID-19 cases in Iqaluit, a number that has nearly doubled in the past week.