| COVID-19 pandemic in the Northwest Territories | |
|---|---|
 Border Checkpoint on theDempster Highway | |
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Northwest Territories, Canada |
| First outbreak | Wuhan,Hubei, China |
| Index case | Yellowknife |
| Arrival date | March 21, 2020 (5 years, 8 months and 2 days) |
| Date | April 20, 2022 |
| Confirmed cases | 10,779 |
| Active cases | 55 |
| Hospitalized cases | 0 |
| Recovered | 10,702 |
Deaths | 22 |
| Fatality rate | 0.2% |
| Government website | |
| NWT Government | |
TheCOVID-19 pandemic in the Northwest Territories is part of anongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused bysevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of February 23, 2022, there have been 8,495 confirmed cases inNorthwest Territories with 7,999 recoveries and 19 deaths.
On March 21, 2020, theNorthwest Territories reported its first case of COVID-19; the individual had travelled to British Columbia and Alberta before returning home toYellowknife.[1]
TheNorthwest Territories declared astate of emergency on March 18.[2][3]On March 21, the territory reported its first case of COVID-19; the individual had travelled to British Columbia and Alberta before returning home toYellowknife.[4]
By May 8, the Northwest Territories has banned all non-resident travellers into the Northwest Territories.[5] All residents travelling into the Northwest Territories are required to self-isolate inYellowknife,Inuvik,Hay River, orFort Smith for at least 14 days.[6]
On October 20, one resident from Inuvik was tested positive.[7] The next day, two residents in Yellowknife were tested positive for the virus. The total confirmed cases in the territory raised to eight.[8]
On October 24, it was reported that a Yellowknife resident working at theGahcho Kue Diamond Mine tested positive for COVID-19.[9] The total confirmed cases in the territory raised to nine.[10]
The first vaccine, ofModerna type, was administered in Yellowknife on December 31, 2020.[11]
Beginning on May 4, 2021, Northwest Territories expanded its vaccine eligibility to 12 years and up.[12]
On June 9, 2021, the government announced reopening depending on vaccination rates with restrictions removed in the fall.[13][14] Mask requirements were lifted on June 28, 2021, for multiple cities.[15]
Chief JusticeLouise Charbonneau said the judiciary could consider dismissing some charges due to 66 cases in a "massive" backlog of jury trials.[16]
A major outbreak occurred in mid to late August in theSahtu Region after a hand games tournament inFort Good Hope in early August. Canadian Red Cross and theCanadian Rangers were sent to help these communities.[17] The territory had its first COVID-19 fatality from this outbreak.[18]