NWT Launches New Dedicated 8-1-1 COVID-19 Phone Line. The Lines Will Be Staffed From 8am-8pm
In the wake of COVID-19, the Government of Northwest Territories has set up a dedicated line for inquires related to the coronavirus. The 8-1-1 is the new Service NWT COVID Support Line means residents can use one easy number to reach the established self-isolation, enforcement, and regional centre accommodations lines.
The line also has staff to provide callers with accurate information about COVID-19 and how it relates to residents of the NWT. The operators will assist the caller by:
- Answering questions about COVID-19.
- Determining if they should contact their local health centre to arrange for testing using the assessment guide.
- Accepting credible, specific complaints of individuals not following public health orders for further consideration.
- Providing them contact info to local health care providers and resources.
- Providing contact information to other services as requested to help them during this time of physical distancing and self-isolation.
Other staff will also be able to provide information on what services are still available in their communities.
- A resource for clinical advice – if clinical advice is required, we encourage residents to contact their primary health care provider or local health centre
- A triage system to determine order of priority of who will be seen in a health centre or hospital
- A source of pharmaceutical information – we encourage everyone to contact their local pharmacy and/or health care professional if they have questions about their medication.
The lines will be staffed from 8am-8pm, with the exception of the Protect NWT enforcement line, which will have on-call staff available 24 hours a day. All lines will run seven-days-a-week.
Interpretation services will be available for those who need it.
This will allow all NWT residents to get all their COVID-19 questions answered at one easily-remembered number.
“Government should be as accessible as possible – especially in crises like we face today. The Service NWT COVID Support Line will help unify our services under one portal, and get our residents the help they need throughout this pandemic.” Said Diane Thom, Minister of Health and Social Services
The new line is not a replacement for calling public health units or local health care centres to arrange for testing for COVID-19. In addition to calling 811, people may also email credible, specific complaints about failures to follow public health orders to protectnwt@gov.nt.ca.
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