June 27, 2021: new COVID-19 cases confirmed; further guidance on outbreak provided

Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley is reporting 44 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday afternoon. There are now 124 active cases in the territory. He now states this is the first true “wave” of COVID-19 in Yukon.

Yukon’s total case count: 308

For the new cases since 12 p.m. on June 25:

• Forty-four confirmed cases.
• The majority of cases are in Whitehorse.
• One hundred and two individuals have recovered since June 1.

COVID-19 is being widely transmitted throughout Yukon, primarily affecting unvaccinated people and is now present in most Yukon communities. Eleven of 14 communities are home to COVID-19 positive people.

Child care programs

Several daycare centres are now exposure locations for COVID-19. Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a recommendation that, for the next 2 weeks, parents keep children home from child care programs if they are able to do so. This recommendation will reduce the number of children in attendance, allow for more distance between children and provide increased flexibility for staff to stay home if sick. This recommendation does not apply to day camps.

Daycare operators are reaching out directly to parents of any children who were exposed to COVID-19 at a daycare centre.

Whitehorse Emergency Shelter

Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) is declaring an outbreak at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter. An outbreak is declared when one or more people tests positive in a congregate living setting. Approximately 15 cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed in shelter guests and staff.

Testing for COVID-19 is available for staff and guests on an ongoing basis.

The shelter has a COVID-19 operational plan and is working with Yukon Communicable Disease Control and the CMOH to ensure practices align with the evolving COVID-19 situation.

Update on access to hospitals

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the territory, Yukon’s hospitals are taking additional measures to keep everyone safe, protect staff and patientsand ensure hospital care is available when you need it most. Here’s what you can do to help and expect to see when you go to hospital.

• Only go to the hospital emergency department, if you need urgent care.
• New visitor restrictions are coming into effect starting Monday, June 28. No visitors or support persons will be allowed – with only a few, limited exceptions.
• Some non-urgent hospital services will be limited or postponed, so your surgery may be rescheduled for another time or your appointment for a lab test may be delayed. The hospitals may have to adjust or modify other less urgent services as required.
• You will be asked some additional questions by the screening team when you arrive at the hospital, please continue to be patient and kind, as they have an important role in our safety.
• You will be asked to wear a hospital-provided mask and keep it on in all areas of the hospital – even if you bring your own personal mask. This is to provide everyone with the same level of protection.

Expect these limited measures to be in place for two weeks and reassessed at that time.