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COMMUNITY REPORT: Qikiqtarjuaq continues to share and deliver food

Qikiqtarjuaq has already selected evacuation and quarantine sites for a possible COVID-19 outbreak.  photo courtesy of ᐹᓴ ᐊᐅᓚᕿᐊᖅ

The Qikiqtarjuaq community is making a great effort to provide food to those in need while adhering to social distancing. Both the Northern Store and Tulugak Co-op are providing delivery services for elders and mothers with babies. Food continues to arrive weekly through Canadian North.

Harvesters are still heading out for day hunts. They continue to catch and share country food with community members, said Mayor Harry Alookie.

Tulugak Co-op has also started preparing lunch packages for students. The packages can be picked up during business hours, said Alookie.

The Qikiqtarjuaq Wellness Committee has started delivering food hampers to the doors of households.

The schools, daycares, churches and arena all remain closed in Qikiqtarjuaq, said the mayor. Some limited services remain open at the Hamlet, Housing Association, Health Centre, Northern Store and Tulugak Co-op.

Local residents have started to respect the rules of social distancing,  he said.

Only a maximum of nine people can gather together. Two deceased were buried at the cemetery in open air with limited gathering, explained Alookie.

“We believe that Qikiqtajuaq Health Center is regularly informing the residents (of) the best way to minimize the risks (of) spreading Covid-19,” said the mayor.

The Hamlet is now in the progress of setting up an Emergency Operation Centre. In case of a possible outbreak, evacuation and quarantine sites have already been selected.

“Simple tasks that we used to enjoy are not as simple as they (used to be),” said Alookie.