Q+A | COVID-19 transmissions slow for now, but people should still use precautions, says N.W.T. acting CPHO

As cold weather settles over the Northwest Territories, people will once again be indoors more often and that can increase the chance of exposure to COVID-19, along with colds and the flu.

But, Dr. Andre Corriveau, a previous N.W.T. chief public health officer who is temporarily filling in for Dr. Kami Kandola, said there's some good news.

So far, there's no sign of a resurgence of COVID-19 in the N.W.T., and the situation "seems to be calm right now," he said.

There are still steps residents can take, however, to protect themselves and slow the spread of COVID and other respiratory viruses.

CBC News spoke with Corriveau on this and what N.W.T.'ers can do to further protect themselves.

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

What's the overview of the COVID situation in the Northwest Territories right now? How are our numbers looking? How's transmission?

The situation seems to be calm right now, for us, looking at our wastewater surveillance and other indicators. It's still around. But actually, the peak in the last few months really occurred in late July, early August, we had a big wave. 

But we're seeing activity across Canada. And the other thing that's of concern is that this year, we're seeing a big return of other respiratory illnesses, as you've probably seen in the news across Canada, a pediatric hospital being overwhelmed with RSV [Respiratory syncytial virus], like babies with RSV. We haven't seen a big increase yet, but it's going to come. Its to a point where there's even a shortage of the acetaminophen for kids, because of the demand that has increased.

Infectious diseases are still around, including COVID. But there's other ones, too, that we need to be concerned about.

Is the N.W.T. prepared for this convergence, specifically, of flu season and COVID season when we don't have the restrictions in place right now?

I think we are relatively well positioned, and the vaccine programs are still running … we're recommending being up to date with your COVID vaccine, but also with the flu vaccine. 

The clinic is going on as we speak. So that's … an important element. The other thing I think it's useful for people to remember is that the reason we didn't see a lot of other respiratory illnesses in the past couple of years was because of the restrictions, and the mandates to wear a mask and to do other precautionary measures to isolate when you're sick.

Those measures are no longer mandatory, but they proved their value. And I think what's important for people to remember is that some of those habits can and should be maintained, especially if you live around or you interface with people who are more vulnerable, whose immune system is weaker, people who are being treated with cancer or have diabetes … all of those measures — being up to date, immunization, staying home when you're sick, wearing a mask, if you're coughing, and you have to go out and about — are still very important measures that make a big difference.