Photo by Whitehorse Star
Dr. Brendan Hanley
COVID-19 continues its upward trajectory
Things are waxing biblical in the Yukon at the moment, with fire, floods and pestilence.
Things are waxing biblical in the Yukon at the moment, with fire, floods and pestilence.
The COVID-19 outbreak continued to grow over the weekend, with one case now reported in Old Crow.
However, the current case count weighs in with approximately 157 active cases, Dr. Brendan Hanley, the chief medical officer of health, told the Star. The last official numbers were released Friday afternoon before public health went quiet for the weekend.
Hanley reported 31 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday afternoon. This brings the active case count to 146 with reported recoveries.
The total Hanley mentioned this morning represented 34 new cases over the weekend.
The Yukon’s total case count since March 22, 2020: 388; 303 cases since June 1, 2021.
Seventeen of the new cases from Friday were in Whitehorse, five cases in rural communities, six pending confirmation and three out-of-territory residents currently in Yukon.
One hundred sixty individuals in the most recent outbreak have recovered.
There have been five deaths since November 2020.
Hanley also announced new restriction on long-term care homes visitors
“From July 2 to July 16, long-term care homes in Yukon will reduce the number of visitors permitted per resident, from six to two for indoor visits,” a news release stated. “All other guidelines remain unchanged.
“This step is being taken to protect all those who live in long-term care homes as Yukon experiences its first wave of COVID-19. To date, there have been no cases of COVID-19 within any of Yukon’s homes.”
Hanley is also suggesting new restrictions on organized team sports.
“There is an increased risk of COVID-19 spread while playing team sports. Consider limiting organized sport activities that do not allow players to be at least two metres (six feet) apart.
“Vaccination is the best way for anyone eligible (or anyone aged 12 and older) to participate in sports. If you are participating in a team sport, follow public health advice on Yukon.ca to help reduce the risk of spread.”
Two exposure notices were issued over the weekend concerning parents and staff of the young toddler group at Grow with Joy Childcare, Second Avenue location; and to the parents and staff of the older toddler group at Grow with Joy Fourth Avenue location.
The notice advises that anyone at either daycare group on June 23 must self-isolate and monitor for symptoms until the coming Wednesday.
Exposure notifications have also gone to residents of the Chilkoot Trail Inn.
Anyone residing there between June 21 and June 30, or anyone visiting a resident, is asked to monitor for symptoms and stay home if any occur.
These people can seek testing at the COVID Testing and Assessment Centre.
“Over these hot summer days, we must continue to keep gathering sizes small,” Hanley said.
“Acting now will bring us out of this wave earlier.
“Follow the safe six and stick to six. Protect each other and protect yourself, so we can get back on track as soon as possible.”
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Comments (14)
Up 1 Down 8
TheHammer on Jul 9, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Gillick@ Things have been waxing biblical since the White man first set foot in the Yukon.
Up 2 Down 1
yukonmom on Jul 8, 2021 at 6:23 pm
Beauty of a first line! Can't believe no one has commented on it. I appreciate your efforts Mr. Gillick.
Up 9 Down 1
iBrian on Jul 7, 2021 at 7:26 pm
@Curious one
I didn’t get tested because I had these symptoms before it became Common knowledge about the Covid-19. January/February 2020.
I lost my sense of taste and for most part smell. Had major loss of appetite and had Diarrhea for 3 days all consecutively after direct contact with the sick father of a child in my kids class.
My wife had a high fever( to the point she slept in long Johns under a -40 down filled sleeping bag in front of the woodstove), cough, headache, runny nose, muscle aches, loss of appetite and nausea with occasional vomiting when eating soft foods - for a 2 week period.
This was within 2 weeks after a family returned from a trip to China over Christmas and New Years 2019/2020. Several other family’s who’s children are in the same class had the same symptoms. To make matters worse the the father of the family that went to China was ill and still working which caused several family’s who ate at that restaurant to become ill too in our community.
So, no, I don’t have a piece of paper that says I was Covid Positive, but for a guy who doesn’t get sick, and has not gotten a flu shot since 2001. Kinda way too coincidental that those symptoms occurred immediately after direct contact with people who came home from China while this out break was just gaining traction.
I lost my acute sense of taste for almost 10 months. I was able to eat Hot sauce and Jalapeños which I never could before. The siriachi sauce would make me swet, and burn going out. But I could spoon it in. I now can not eat hot and spicy food again, as prior to this incident.
Why don’t I get the shot. Well I am.
Not against it, just not for it. But have to be to support my family.
I get shots every 5 years for Hep A-B, TB, And couple others for Plumbing work, don’t have my book on me. It’s not that I am against vaccination, I just would prefer the injection actually be a Vaccine.
Up 9 Down 1
harry on Jul 7, 2021 at 4:42 pm
@ woodcutter..covid vaccines may be creating variants. RNA vaccines are new. The vaccines you refer to are tested and approved MMR vaccines. You have the right to be concerned and ask questions and the right to choose one way or the other.
Up 12 Down 20
woodcutter on Jul 7, 2021 at 3:28 pm
lol, from the comments you'd think bozo the clown was the biggest source of DNA that was used to create these exceptional children. We should all get it , that the only way to achieve herd immunity. Back in the day, just after WW2 polio was a common occurrence, now there is a vaccine, measles would take its toll on the children, but now there is a vaccine, meningitis was a early death sentence for children as well, but now there is a vaccine, however still there is a bunch a Neanderthals dragging their knuckles waiting for the day there is herd immunity.
As A kid working on cattle ranches, I can attest that the ranchers would not wait for a illness to spread through out the herd to gain immunity, they would vaccinate or cull.
Meanwhile the Right re-writes history and blaming Trudeau for the poor decision's made by folks that up too a few months ago believed that the vaccine was a conspiracy by Bill Gates to mind control the world.
I recall the NIHI storm, Toronto was locked down tight and it was stopped in its tracks. The GDP took a hit, but we survived all together. The way folks are treating this, it will never end, it will go on and on and on.....
Up 11 Down 10
@iBrian on Jul 7, 2021 at 12:32 pm
I've seen your comments on the site, and am curious - were you actually tested or do you assume you had covid? If you do have antibodies from the infection, it seems you may not (no one knows for sure) be protected against the variants. But unless you have a valid reason, why not get vaccinated? That way, the hassle at your workplace goes away.
Up 15 Down 7
Juniper and Al on Jul 7, 2021 at 12:30 pm
Joy was and is fantastic. But H1N1 was a whole different animal - people weren't infectious until they had symptoms, and it required only a single shot. I'm not sure what your experience was, but I think the vaccination clinics are doing a fantastic job with covid vaccines
Up 10 Down 5
Al on Jul 7, 2021 at 7:59 am
@ Juniper
Well put my friend. Thanks...
I remember well H1N1 and how Joy handled the vaccination program. I guess we have gone to hell in a hand basket thereafter.
Up 12 Down 12
iBrian on Jul 6, 2021 at 6:27 pm
I am tired of hearing about these waves. Also, this guys with his lack of excepting Modern Medical proof that being exposed and having Covid is the best way to build immunity!
I can tell you that now after having had this flu, that I have to get this experimental vaccine which is still not approved by Health Canada in order to keep my job. Yeah people, the companies don’t care anymore they are writing their own laws and rights. And they have the right to terminate you for what ever reason they want if you are not vaccinated.
Up 31 Down 26
Max Mack on Jul 6, 2021 at 9:00 am
"Vaccination is the best way for anyone eligible (or anyone aged 12 and older) to participate in sports."
Blah, blah, blah, vaccine. Blah, blah, blah, vaccine. You'd almost think that covid is being used as an excuse to coerce people to vaccinate.
Preventative therapies other than vaccines? Not according to Hanley. Prophylaxis other than vaccines? Not according to Hanley. Treatment regimens other than vaccines? Not according to Hanley. Natural immunity? Not according to Hanley.
Things that make you go "hmmmmm".
Up 23 Down 6
Unsafe work environment on Jul 6, 2021 at 8:45 am
100% @John. Please investigate this story @WhitehorseStar!
Up 28 Down 11
TMYK on Jul 5, 2021 at 9:47 pm
@John. Why worry about the staff when NVD keeps getting those sweet sole source contracts from the Liberals. I mean there is absolutely no connection between those and the anonymous donations the Liberals refuse to disclose right?
Up 24 Down 16
Juniper Jackson on Jul 5, 2021 at 5:40 pm
Covid was too big by the time Trudeau said.. um..umm.. It was never going to be contained. Other countries realized this right away and the term "herd immunity' came into being. But, in Canada, the Government immediately made it political in order to push the environment, in order to divert attention from Liberal scandals to fear of 'we're all going to die', in order to push personal agendas. Now?? Why..my goodness.. Covid is a bad cold, BUT this variant is a fast spreading, easier to transmit, etc. https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/why-covid-19-may-now-feel-like-a-bad-cold-with-headache-runny-nose-among-most-reported-symptoms-1.6069831
Remember H1N1? That's just a few years ago, Joy Kajiwara was in charge of that program and distribution. That was also declared a pandemic by WHO. And what happened? Ms. Kajiwara was on top of this from day 1, without any political garbage, announced the vaccination sites, dates and times. 3,000 people vaccinated at CGC the first day. I don't recall Hanley with his face in the news all the time. People were vaccinated quietly, orderly.
I think Covid, has been screwed up by everyone, from the top down..screwed up by every government, every 'TOP' doctor. The people we elected are out and out failures. Masking is a joke. But, Hanley hangs on to that like a fly on road kill. All you maskers.. you ARE wearing 3 right? or are throwing away or sterilizing your mask after every use, right?
Up 126 Down 15
John on Jul 5, 2021 at 3:28 pm
What about your self isolation Center at the high country inn? People don’t listen to the guidelines, they’re drinking, sharing smokes, doing whatever they want. All while the YTG shovels out 50-100/hr for YTG employees but leaves the poor staff at the high country at $14-17/hour. Pathetic. You guys want a REAL story to run? Perhaps go speak to staff and visit the high country inn to see for yourselves.