LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The death of a man in Fort Simpson Sept. 9 sparked rumours the cause was the H1N1 flu, but, according to the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services, those rumours are false.

At the time, the health department confirmed that the death of an NWT resident met the criteria associated with H1N1, or swine flu, deaths.

According to Damien Healy, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Services, tests were sent away to determine if the death was H1N1-related, but on Tuesday he made it clear that the test did not come back positive.

"We're not waiting for any tests and we still do not have any H1N1-related deaths in the Northwest Territories," said Healy.

Details about the resident were not confirmed by the department due to patient confidentiality.

A father of two from Fort Simpson who died was said to possibly be the individual who was suspected to have died from H1N1.

Fort Simpson Mayor Duncan Canvin said that the community should not worry.

"I think the biggest thing is for people to stay calm and not be overly concerned with this particular instance because nothing is even known," Canvin said on Monday.

"A lot of people are in shock and disbelief (about the death)," said Canvin, stating that the man who died was normally a very healthy individual.

Marie Lafferty, president of the Metis Nation in Fort Simpson, said last week that the man who died was a healthy man in his fifties who came down with flu-like symptoms.

"He was in his 50s, but he was always really healthy. It's a real shock," said Lafferty.

Lafferty said the man worked out of town, but she believes he was in town when he got sick.

"He was treated here. They were going to medevac him but a few hours later that he was gone," said Lafferty.

Lafferty said that if H1N1 was to enter the community, people shouldn't panic or rush to doctors' offices.

"If we have (H1N1 flu) in town, I think that if people are sick they should stay close to home and get checked. What else can you do?"

The best way to avoid catching the H1N1 flu virus, according to Dr. Kami Kandola, acting chief medical officer of the NWT, is to avoid close contact with those who have flu-like symptoms.

People are told to wash hands regularly and thoroughly, or use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

If residents have flu-like symptoms, they are advised to call the health lines available on the department of health website.

Calling the phone lines rather than going to a health care centre is the safest route for the community, because sick patients at health centres may be more susceptible to the disease than healthy people.