TORONTO -- What was initially believed to be Nunavutâs first confirmed COVID-19 case has turned out to be a false positive.
On April 30, a single person tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the northern community of Pond Inlet on the upper tip of Baffin Island.
But in a press release Monday, officials revealed that further testing had proven that the first positive result was a mistake.
âAs there were no other positive COVID-19 tests in Pond Inlet, we decided to ask for the original swab to be re-tested,â Dr. Michael Patterson, Nunavutâs Chief Public Health Officer, said in the press release.
He said they had a very comprehensive system set up to trace who had come into contact with potential carriers of the virus. More than 20 people who had come into contact with the potential COVID-19 case were tested out of fears that they could have the virus, but none tested positive.
Patterson told media that the individual who had falsely tested positive had not âbeen outside of Pond Inlet for some time,â and that they couldnât identify âan exposure to COVID-19.â
The initial test was repeated on Friday, and confirmed in a lab in Ontario to be negative.
âWe believe that the individual in Pond Inlet does not and never did have COVID-19,â he said.
âThere is always a chance of false positive or false negative results,â he added.
"When interpreting results and deciding on an appropriate course of action, we consider many pieces of information, of which test results are just one piece.â
The community of Pond Inlet, which is home to only 1,600 people, was initially cut off from the rest of Nunavut as a precautionary measure following the announcement of a case of COVID-19. Travel in or out of the community was banned.
These measures and restrictions on businesses within the community have now been lifted in wake of the announcement of the false positive test.
âWhile this is a relief for many Nunavummiut, it does not mean anyone should relax or ease up on physical distancing, handwashing and cleaning surfaces often, and staying home,â Premier Joe Savikataaq said in the press release. âPlease remain diligent in practicing these measures and keeping yourself and one another well. Itâs up to all of us to keep our communities safe.â
In Canada, Nunavut remains the only province or territory to have zero confirmed cases of COVID-19.