Photo by Whitehorse Star
Dr. Brendan Hanley
COVID-19 cases continue to mount
Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health, has reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed between noon Tuesday and noon Wednesday.
Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health, has reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed between noon Tuesday and noon Wednesday.
The numbers continue to fluctuate, as Hanley reported 146 active cases during his weekly COVID-19 briefing Wednesday morning.
The report released later in the day, however, pegs it at 138 active cases after including recoveries.
“These current spread is primarily due to transmissions among people who are unvaccinated and vulnerable,” Hanley said in a news release.
The Yukon has recorded 373 cases since June 1, including out-of-territory residents diagnosed in the territory and probable cases.
Thirteen of the new confirmed cases involve 12 Yukoners and one out-of-territory resident in the Yukon.
Thirteen cases are in Whitehorse, with none in rural communities.
Two hundred ten individuals in the most recent outbreak have recovered.
There have been five deaths since November 2020.
“Testing for COVID-19 infection is more important than ever,” the statment said.
“People who are vaccinated may also rarely acquire COVID-19 and should seek testing if symptoms develop.
“Testing turnaround times remain very quick, 24 hours in the previous week, and negative results can now be accessed online.”
Anyone experiencing symptoms in Whitehorse should call the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre at 393-3083 or book on-line to arrange for testing.
Drive-up testing is available at the centre from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily at 49A Waterfront Place.
People in communities should contact their rural community health centre.
Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Comments (33)
Up 0 Down 2
Dr David Fisman U of T Professor July12th article(his take) on Jul 15, 2021 at 3:13 am
" We're a very lucky country in terms of availability of vaccines… but because not everybody is vaccinated, and because the new strains are more transmissible, and because we can't vaccinate kids yet... that means we can reopen but we still need to use some of our non-vaccination tools to keep transmission down.
David Fisman, an epidemiologist and infectious disease expert at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in Toronto, has been watching Yukon's pandemic trajectory closely. (Ousama Farag/CBC)
Especially in a couple of vulnerable settings, like long-term care homes, jails and prisons, shelters, and schools as we move into the fall.
Some of those simple tools are masks, better ventilation, better use of testing, better use of contact tracing. "
Up 12 Down 2
DL on Jul 14, 2021 at 1:21 am
Hanley stated that children & youth with covid only have mild symptoms. Hanley also said that because the vaccinated with a covid infection only have mild symptoms they do not significantly transmit covid.
So, following that logic couldn't we conclude that children with covid do not significantly transmit the virus.
At any rate, all of those who wanted the vaccine have gotten it by now. That should be the end of any restrictions.
Up 14 Down 1
Joe on Jul 13, 2021 at 6:11 pm
@ not so joe....hmmm remember the emergency measures and all the abuse of freedom rights were put into place for fear of overwhelming health care. To date, cancer and heart attacks have strained health care almost ten fold over covid. What are you talking about?
Up 5 Down 10
Not so, Joe on Jul 13, 2021 at 2:37 pm
People with unhealthy lifestyles are often shamed - but better yet, there's help available for those who want to live a healthier life. The big difference though, is that none of the problems caused by the things you mentioned are contagious or transmissible
Up 2 Down 2
DMZ on Jul 13, 2021 at 12:39 pm
@proof reader, Fisman isn't disagreeing with me. I have no opinion on the matter of the hazards of school children. I just pointed out another doctor, on the same broadcaster, framed it differently, and that's situation normal in the past century, I mean, year and a half. If you want to call Fisman's opinion evidentiary evidence, and not another guy saying something different, go ahead. I'll take it just as seriously.
Up 24 Down 8
Joe on Jul 12, 2021 at 7:14 pm
Cancer and heart disease are consistently Canada's top two killers. In 2019, they accounted for 80,152 and 52,541 deaths, respectively. There were a little over 15,000 covid deaths in 2020. Ironically there's no public shaming of smokers and obesity, alcohol, drugs, vaping...,but if you're not vaccinated!!!
Up 2 Down 4
Proofreader on Jul 12, 2021 at 5:49 pm
@DMZ "We desperately need to get kids back to normal school. But we also need to acknowledge that schools can accelerate COVID transmission." David Fisman disagrees with you.
He's an epidemiologist who has been concentrating on the Yukon Covid situation.
The story in depth can be found at CBC North evidently.
Up 22 Down 10
Juniper Jackson on Jul 11, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Everyone seems to be jumping on Matthew, but basically, he is not wrong. People are following his advice daily. Probably not from him, but same advise. Take care of your body. Wash it, feed it, water it. Keep it healthy. Whether it will keep you safe from disease? well..it sure can't hurt it.
Up 13 Down 4
DMZ on Jul 11, 2021 at 1:27 pm
@proof reader, "evidentiary evidence"? Even if you say it twice, it doesn't make sense. I've never been so confused, and that's saying something over this year and a half. What data are they presenting? Just a lot of numbers, ever shifting from total cases from the beginning, or counting from, I don't know, a couple of weeks ago. The Yukon does not appear to do data.
Constant mention of "unvaccinated", but also vaccinated. All of us, vaccinated included, are supposed to assume we're infected. But the only way out of this is to get vaccinated. Yes, that's certainly demonstrating their huge faith in the vaccine.
For some reason, despite leadership getting in front of cameras two or three times a week to intone that we're in a dire situation, the Covid website is only intermittently updated.
CBC Facebook reported 6 more cases yesterday, but the website only has figures from days ago. The update for statistics for vaccination is even more casual, they're almost a week old and they say they're updated "once a week". I don't get it. How hard is it to access the website and punch in a number? Or just program it to spit out the... well, data.
Whatever, vaccination rates are pretty high, closing in on 80 percent in Whitehorse for both first and second shots, and looking robust for most of the communities. Yet medical officials seem quite pleased to share that they're overwhelmed. It's been an incoherent display and they should not be surprised that people are tuning them out. If McPhee wants to lecture us that we should "change our behavior", I honestly don't know what she's talking about.
For what it's worth, I did hear a doctor from elsewhere in Canada say that evidentiary evidence for children's evidence is not showing evidence that they're a significant source of infections.
Up 23 Down 12
Groucho d'North on Jul 11, 2021 at 10:36 am
Are governments trying to manipulate the public through this pandemic? Of course they are, they have an agenda to keep. Same as how they are changing our consumption, transportation and energy use related to combating Climate Change. There is an ambitious plan to mange the global population and much of what we do in the name of sustainability - for who, they don't say very clearly, we assume its for all of us, but there are too many of us for that to be true.
So how are the G7 nations working towards their objectives? Google Agenda 2030 for some insight on what they want to change. There are many versions of the plan on line, read a few to get a better sense of what is afoot around the planet.
"The people I distrust most are those who want to improve our lives but have only one course of action.....theirs."
Up 11 Down 9
Proof reader on Jul 11, 2021 at 2:25 am
@open debate re: Your one statement that says that children do not contribute significantly to the spread of the virus is not bore out by the evidentiary evidence both in Whitehorse and Yellowknife as reported.
Up 23 Down 11
John on Jul 10, 2021 at 10:55 pm
It's ironic that the bullet proof vaccinated people are the ones most reliant on google news and internet gospel going around preaching how they are protecting others while the truth is they only got vaccine in hopes of protecting themselves. At best it's a temporary solution. Be honest with yourself.
Up 12 Down 19
Even Trump got vaccinated on Jul 10, 2021 at 6:44 am
After denial, 'everything's going to be ok', attending/hosting superspreader events, getting infected, getting very sick and hospitalized etc., etc., etc., ... he and his family got vaccinated before leaving the White House. He's not the brightest bulb in many ways, but he had the smarts to listen to his doctors in this instance,
Up 18 Down 21
Science 101 on Jul 9, 2021 at 10:30 pm
Science is cool @Matthew! Also, definitely wouldn’t want to meet you in person because you are not vaccinated and wouldn’t want you to get sick. Because I care about your health and safety. Better make a garlic garland and drink some carrot juice. Thanks for the neat health tips!
Up 21 Down 22
Mike C on Jul 9, 2021 at 4:35 pm
@ Matthew
Yep all the doctors, scientists, politicians in every country around the world are all in cahoots together to restrict are rights and freedoms just for the hell of it. You got us..we are the Freemasons and we are taking all your freedoms away. We have been planning this for years. All these doctors and scientists are working for us even though they’ve gone to school for years and years..but you know more than them. What’s your background..your a YouTube nutritionist! Right!
Is the earth flat as well.. any of these so called educated anti maskers and anti vaccers are interested go watch the CNN documentary on mans encroaching impact on the environment and animal habitat.. On the Hunt for the Next Big Contagion?..but I guess this is fake news.
Up 26 Down 24
Yukoner on Jul 9, 2021 at 2:30 pm
@Matthew - So you are a doctor? Or have some sort of background that would give some validity to your opinions? Or you've just spent a lot of time on the internet?
Up 27 Down 23
Open debate on Jul 9, 2021 at 12:53 pm
There are record numbers or reports of adverse effects in USA and Europe from the experimental covid jab. Easy to find responsible and credible sources for this info on the internet, just don't use google as a search engine.
But here in the Yukon it's been complete silence on this. Why? There have been word of mouth reports, so it's not like we don't have any case of serious adverse reaction from the covid jab. Health professionals should pay attention: the lack of information on this will turn the 'vaccine hesitant' into complete 'vaccine refusenik', and for good reasons.
Up 21 Down 23
Matthew on Jul 9, 2021 at 12:12 pm
Great info for you all to watch if you dare to. Educate yourselves on the importance of nutrition in the body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgVKSWnLQBc
Up 44 Down 33
Matthew on Jul 9, 2021 at 11:57 am
I'm open to meet, in person, to chat. I'm extremely confident in what I say, funny cause the government isn't open to meet or chat.. I guess that's the difference in a democracy and dictatorship
Up 27 Down 21
Wes on Jul 9, 2021 at 8:16 am
It’s interesting that the first commenters likes/dislikes pretty much mirror the vaccination rate. Pretty much shows that some folks aren’t responsible enough to be allowed to drive a car.
Up 18 Down 34
BnR on Jul 9, 2021 at 8:11 am
Matthews pretty sure he’s got common sense..... But he eats healthy so it’s all good.
Up 43 Down 24
Matthew on Jul 9, 2021 at 7:12 am
LOL! And so it begins.. never ended plandemic, the Lambda varient is now here, we should place bets on the next wave, I've got Zeta next..
Up 50 Down 25
Juniper Jackson on Jul 9, 2021 at 3:18 am
I just can't listen to him dropping the same old crap anymore. We will be masked and locked as long as that hefty, gold plated pay check keeps rolling in.
Up 21 Down 39
Politico on Jul 8, 2021 at 10:39 pm
@Matthew What a poster child for the anti vaxers you are! Read this, just a thought. https://www.kyma.com/videor/2021/07/08/couple-who-hesitated-on-vaccination-share-story-of-having-covid-19/
Up 29 Down 43
Mike C on Jul 8, 2021 at 10:34 pm
@ Matthew
Is that you Dr. Fauci or is Forrest Gump. Holy Jesus! Go talk to a ER doctor or a nurse on the front line and get some real facts. Oh and btw do you think all these people who have contracted Covid are living without any long term symptoms from Covid? But hey you’d do well living in Texas or Arkansas..all the anti vaccers are getting nailed now over the Delta variant.
Up 42 Down 14
bonanzajoe on Jul 8, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Stop worrying over it. Everybody is getting through it OK. Soon, the Yukon will have herd immunity. Like all virus before it, it will peter out.
Up 31 Down 31
George on Jul 8, 2021 at 7:09 pm
@matthew .. I agree. Only problem is that most sheople who vaxed think they’re bulletproof and are ignoring safety protocols.
Up 41 Down 36
Matthew on Jul 8, 2021 at 7:05 pm
Love the dislikes.. I feel sorry for you all, brainwashed puppets who actually believe the gov cares about you! LOL!
Up 39 Down 33
Klondike Cornelius on Jul 8, 2021 at 7:00 pm
@ Matthew well said, well said. This is what happens when people feel peer pressure from family and friends, they go and make a permanent decision based on ridiculously low amounts of research. The 'vaccinated' seem to be the biggest babies in all of this. You made your decisions, now be quiet.
Up 36 Down 37
Charlie's Aunt on Jul 8, 2021 at 5:56 pm
Matthew I think you need to climb a different wall. Covid-19 affects everyone differently; if you bother to read International news you will see that some survivors are left with long term effects and some are young people who did not have a serious infection. it is your choice not to be vaccinated, but please quit pushing the same tiring line.
Up 45 Down 23
Mike on Jul 8, 2021 at 5:53 pm
So tired of this unvaccinated crap. It's always saying the majority of the people are unvaccinated but a majority could be 51 / 49 never the actual figures let alone the hidden fact that the vaccine doesn't stop the virus it just lessons your chances of getting very sick and in others the vaccine has atrocious side effects on young people. So be open and honest about all of it not just the Hanley one sided story. Anyone with a strong immune system will beat this virus with very little if any symptoms, but to not state the fact that the only reason we stay in a state of emergency is because the minute the state of emergency is lifted, the vaccine becomes illegal as it is not FDA approved nor should it be.
Up 54 Down 14
Rod on Jul 8, 2021 at 5:48 pm
That’s the attitude we need Matthew! Good luck on travelling anywhere ever, without the shot!
Up 71 Down 130
Matthew on Jul 8, 2021 at 4:43 pm
Get over it, people who want to be vaxed already are. Rest of us with common sense, a strong immune system and eat healthy will NEVER get the experimental vaccine. Again, survival rate if you do get it is +98.5%..