COVID-19 Updates

If you are experiencing severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or a worsening condition and feel that you need immediate medical care, call 9-1-1, and call ahead to your health centre or hospital facility to let them know you are coming to the facility. Please describe your symptoms over the phone before your appointment so the clinic can arrange to see you without exposing others.

In the NWT, Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty, Modern's SpikeVax, and the Novavax have been approved for use and vaccination is available across the territory. Please call your local health centre to book a vaccination appointment; if you are located in Yellowknife, please use the online booking system to choose an appointment at the vaccination clinic downtown.

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Paxlovid

General Eligibility for Paxlovid: PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is recommended for patients with mild symptomatic COVID-19 infection who fall into a designated high-risk category. Asymptomatic patients are not eligible for prophylaxis regardless of risk, but should be monitored for symptom development.

Mild disease includes patients who do NOT require supplemental oxygen, or those whose baseline supplemental oxygen requirements have not increased due to their infection. This may include hospitalized patients, for example those with incidental or nosocomial COVID-19 infection, as well as outpatients and residents of long-term care or supported living facilities.

The current NTHSSA guidance for who can access Paxlovid includes:

  • Severely immunocompromised patients, regardless of age or immunization status
  • Patients with conditions that make them extremely clinically vulnerable to severe disease, regardless of age or vaccination status
  • Patients living in long-term care or congregate/supportive living facilities, regardless of age or immunization status
  • Vaccinated but unboosted patients (those who have received 2 doses, but not at least one 3rd or 4th dose booster)
    • Aged 70 years or older regardless of other risk factors
    • Aged 50 years or older and having at least one chronic disease
  • Unvaccinated patients (those who have received 0 or 1 dose of vaccine):
    • Aged 50 years or older regardless of other risk factors
    • Aged 18 years or older AND having at least one chronic disease
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Information for NWT Residents

Accessing health care during the pandemic: 

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