Over the course of the 2020-21 fiscal year, the Canadian Red Cross played a role in supporting the Government of Nunavut in its COVID-19 response.
At the request of the territorial and federal governments, two Epidemic Prevention and Control personnel were deployed to Arviat, Nunavut and provided support from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, 2020. The request was made in response to an outbreak in the community.
The team assessed numerous locations in the community and provided recommendations to help reduce COVID transmission. The team also provided prevention information and training.
In December, the Government of Nunavut also requested the Canadian Red Cross provide testing support at its two isolation sites in Winnipeg.
A Canadian Red Cross COVID Testing Assistance Response Team (CTART) provided support at the two hotels the Government of Nunavut had designated as isolation sites in Winnipeg. Travellers from Nunavut were required to isolate at one of these sites before returning home.
The team offered COVID-19 testing for the travellers at both hotels. The team performed nearly 400 tests between early-December and when our team concluded its work, just before the end of 2020.
The Canadian Red Cross stayed in regular contact with Nunavut government officials to offer support when needed. That support continued in different capacities as we moved into the 2021-22 fiscal year.