Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Brendan Hanley today announced the first in-territory case of COVID-19 since April 20, 2020, bringing the territory’s total to 15, including the three Yukon residents diagnosed outside Yukon.
The person is a Whitehorse resident who is recovering at home. Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) has begun contact tracing.
The individual travelled recently to Dawson. All Dawson-related contacts have been identified and are being followed up on.
In a follow-up to last week’s advisory, Yukon residents who were in Dawson City, between July 20 and today including residents of Dawson City are advised to self-monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19. Dawson City residents who exhibit even mild symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to get tested at the Dawson Community Hospital or Dawson Health Centre.
Whitehorse residents who have travelled to Dawson City since July 20, and who are experiencing any symptoms, should call YCDC directly, identify as having been in Dawson City during this time period and arrange to get tested.
In addition, people who may have been at Superstore in Whitehorse between the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on August 1 or who attended the Sunday service at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. on August 2 should also monitor themselves for symptoms:
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- fever;
- chills;
- cough;
- difficulty breathing;
- shortness of breath;
- runny nose;
- sore throat;
- loss of sense of taste or smell;
- headache;
- fatigue;
- loss of appetite;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea; and
- muscle aches.
Anyone who develops any of these symptoms regardless of how mild, should self-isolate immediately and arrange for testing. Testing will be available this weekend (August 8 and 9).
For people with symptoms who were at Superstore or Sacred Heart in Whitehorse, call YCDC at 667-5080 to arrange for testing over the weekend. In Dawson City, call Dawson City Hospital at 993-4444 to arrange for testing over the weekend. In other communities, call your community health centre. Please identify as being in one of the above exposure locations.
People who were in these locations, but have no symptoms should self-monitor for 14 days after their exposure. If you develop symptoms no matter how mild, people should self-isolate immediately and contact 811, complete the self-assessment tool or contact their health care provider.
For people in Whitehorse with symptoms of COVID-19 who have not been in the above locations at the specified times, call the Respiratory Assessment Centre at 393-3083. It's open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9. In Dawson City, call the Hospital at 993-4444 to arrange for testing.
Patricia Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-335-1531
patricia.living@gov.yk.ca