By Canadian Press

A ‘rapidly escalating COVID-19 situation is developing in the Yukon,’ top doctor says

Nov 8, 2021 | 8:28 PM

WHITEHORSE — Yukon’s top doctor says a “rapidly escalating COVID-19 situation” is threatening the territory’s health-care system and residents must take steps to control the spread.

Acting chief medical officer of health, Dr. Catherine Elliott, says in a statement that Yukon is at a point in the pandemic it has not seen before. 

Elliott says Yukoners must “take immediate steps to break the cycle of widespread community transmission” that will likely continue over the coming days.

The Yukon government says it is considering new recommendations from Elliott, but for now, residents are urged to get vaccinated and follow existing guidelines.

The current recommendations, in effect until at least Nov. 30, include limiting social gatherings to 20 people indoors if everyone is fully vaccinated and to six people for gatherings where not everyone is fully vaccinated, though they’re not requirements.

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Elliott’s warning came as Yukon reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 diagnosed over a three-day period between Friday and Monday, for a total of 169 active infections.

The territory says 132 of the overall active cases are in Whitehorse residents, 20 cases are in Carmarks and four are in Carcross, while Burwash Landing, Pelly Crossing and Teslin each have one resident with an active infection. 

Elliott has also declared a COVID-19 outbreak affecting the Grade 4/5 class at École Whitehorse Elementary School and says all other students should go to school.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2021. 

The Canadian Press