It should be just weeks before the Yukon receives one of the latest developments in the fight against COVID-19, says the chief medical officer of health for the territory.

Dr. Brendan Hanley explained Wednesday during the regular weekly update on the pandemic that his office is working with B.C. for a supply of the recently developed gargle test which is effective, particularly in testing children. It is, he said, as effective as a nasal swab.

Once they receive their supply, they’ll have to develop a protocol for its use and teach health care staffers so they can pass on the proper techniques for its use to parents, he said.

Hanley said the gargle test does require proper techniques in swishing the solution in the mouth for the right amount of time in order to capture the sample.

There are no new cases of COVID-19 infections in the Yukon. The number of confirmed cases in the territory remains at 15, as it has for the past several months, and all have recovered.

Hanley and Premier Sandy Silver delivered the update, and both called for caution during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend.

But they also encouraged people to enjoy the weekend, to enjoy their family and friends but to do it carefully, to maintain social distancing standards and continue with the other measures like frequent hand washing.

There is still a requirement that indoor gatherings not exceed 10 people, they pointed out.

The chief medical officer also noted a couple of other testing procedure and machines that are in the wings to help testing capacity in the Yukon and across Canada.

One piece of new testing equipment was approved recently by Health Canada, he said.

The Yukon’s allotment of 10 machines, he noted, should be arriving before the end of the year or early next year.

Hanley mentioned the machines are particularly useful for rural and remote locations because they’re portable, easy to use and provide rapid results, though they too have their limitations.

“These tests will definitely contribute to our capacity and again will be useful when we really need that rapid result such as when tackling an outbreak,” he said.

Hanley said as the country learns more about the use of the machines, so too will the Yukon learn.

The machines produce highly accurate results but not as accurate as the testing device currently in use at the Whitehorse General Hospital, he said.

That device requires trained and qualified staff, and is only used when results are needed immediately because the capsules needed for the test have limited availability in the world, he said.

“As we look forward to the next year, we want to ensure our testing capacity is prepared to meet any demand that can hit us,” Hanley said.

“Right now, we continue to be confident in our preparations both with testing and contact tracing.”

Hanley said he’s still not sure about the new cell phone app designed to notify people that they’ve been in the same location as someone who has tested positive.

The app is a remarkable development in that it traces where a person has been, and will tell you if you’ve been in the same location as someone who has tested positive, he said.

He also noted his reservations, however.

The first limitation is the app depends on the individual who tests positive to upload the information, he pointed out.

Hanley said the app does not differentiate between high-risk and low-risk contacts.

Being in the same grocery store and possibly brushing by an individual who tests positive is a low-risk contact that health professionals are really worried about, but the app will still notify – ping – anybody who was in the store.

Having low-risk contacts suddenly seeking testing could overwhelm the testing system and the professional staff who do contact tracing, he said.

Hanley said it may prove to be useful in other jurisdictions where they are seeing the second wave of COVID-19 cases, where a surge in the number of infections has already stretched the capacity for testing and contact tracing.

He remains unsure, however, about its use in smaller jurisdictions like the Yukon.

It may be useful for Yukoners travelling outside the territory, he said.

Hanley said if Yukoners get pinged on their cell phone by the app after travelling Outside, they’re asked to contact the Yukon Communicable Disease Centre.

All in all, explained the chief medical officer, the Yukon is in a relatively good position compared to some provinces currently experiencing the second wave.

Silver said the Yukon is receiving an additional $12.4 million in federal funding through the Safe Restart Agreement with Ottawa.

The territory has already received $13.5 million under the agreement based on a per capita allotment, just like all the other territories and provinces, he pointed out.

Silver noted the agreement calls for additional funding for the territories in recognition of the challenges related to delivering services in the North.

Of the extra $12.4 million, $7.7 million is to support health care and $4.7 million will be directed at supports for vulnerable populations in the territory, he said.

Silver said the money for health care and vulnerable populations is not targeted at specific initiatives but rather will be used to generally help out with the territory’s additional costs in responding to the pandemic.

The Yukon has already identified $52.1 million in additional costs associated with the pandemic that are recoverable from Ottawa, he said.

Our government remains focused on protecting Yukoners and supporting them through these challenging times,” said the premier.

“We will continue to work in collaboration with our partners across the country to respond to this pandemic.

“I also know that Dr. Hanley and is team are working in collaboration with medical officers across the country, including officials at Health Canada, to ensure we remain well-prepared to manage the public health risks associated with COVID-19.

“Working together and taking a co-ordinated approach to managing COVID-19 is still very important,” said the premier.

Silver emphasized how the territory has a battery of mental health services and professionals who are able to help people who may be experiencing mental health issues in this time of uncertainty.

This week, he pointed out, is Mental Health Awareness Week.

Dealing with the pandemic for more than six months now has affected everybody’s mental wellness, the premier said.

“It can be hard to reach out for help, even if we know deep down that we need it,” Silver said. “I encourage all Yukoners to be kind and compassionate and to talk with one another.

“It is more important than ever to check in on each other and support one another.”

Hanley concurred.

“I couldn’t agree more with the call to be aware of our mental health, to support each other in our mental health through this difficult time and to reach out for the many supports out there when you need it,” he said.