If you heard two dull roars over the skies in the Yukon this morning, you can attribute it to this week’s COVID-19 briefing.

First, the territorial government announced daycares will return to full service beginning Monday after being partially or completely closed over the last two weeks.

While that will be a relief for parents, the truly big news was Premier Sandy Silver saying that if the downward trend of active virus cases continues and vaccination rates keep rising, the COVID state of emergency would be lifted next month.

If that happens, it would also mean the end of the mandatory health restrictions such as the Safe Six and masking.

That’s exciting news for territorial residents, who have lived under these rules since the spring of 2020 for the Safe Six.

Mandatory masking was introduced last November, causing some restlessness amongst the population.

Silver made the emergency state announcement this morning, and reiterated it after questions from reporters.

“All restrictions would be lifted,” he said.

Tied in with that decision is a renewed emphasis on getting more people vaccinated.

The numbers currently show 85 per cent of eligible adult Yukoners have received at least one vaccine. Seventy-seven have received both shots.

While saying that was “phenomenal,” Silver and Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health, said they’d like to see 100 per cent of people vaccinated to ensure blanket protection.

Hanley called that an “aspirational goal”, since approximately five per cent of people can’t receive the vaccine for various legitimate reasons.

They’re training their sights on the remaining 10 to 12 per cent who could receive the shot, although it’s unclear exactly how they plan to convince them.

Hanley acknowledged many of those people might be so-called “anti-vaxxers” – people who staunchly reject the vaccines for a wide variety or reasons.

Silver said the “onus of individual responsibility” will now shift to these individuals.

Some may find that statement puzzling, since receiving the vaccine has always been up to individuals and has never been mandated by the government.

Hanley was more judicious in his comments. He said new ways of reaching people who are reluctant to receive the vaccines are constantly being explored.

“It (the 95 per cent) goal is aspirational,” he said. “We have to look at all possibilities.”

Silver said the current outbreak, which appears to be waning, “aggressively targeted unvaccinated people who were not following the Safe Six.”

The government has also reinstated the more liberal gathering rules it introduced May 25 – just before the outbreak began.

Gathering sizes for organized events will now expand to 200 people – for vaccinated people.

Unvaccinated citizens face tighter controls, with organized gathering being limited to 20 to 50 people for indoor and outdoor activities.

The rules for unvaccinated aren’t as loose with unorganized activities, such as social gatherings and parties, providing a double standard of sorts for Yukon residents.

Unvaccinated people in everyday situations are still being asked to keep their gatherings to six people for the moment.

Hanley said 38 people were hospitalized during the current outbreak, with 13 of them being medevaced to the south.

Three people remain in Whitehorse General Hospital.

Of the four deaths that have occurred since June 1, three people were unvaccinated and one was partially vaccinated.

About 13 per cent of confirmed cases were amongst fully-vaccinated people. Most of them were in close contact with unvaccinated cases, Hanley said, such as household members.

All but one of them were mild cases.

“If you’re unvaccinated, this virus will find you,” Hanley said. “The risk has not gone away. This virus has hit us hard. Gather with care.”

Hanley indicated that while mandatory masking may end with the state of emergency, he’s still a fan of the concept being strongly recommended.

“For years to come, masks should be kept (as a tool),” he said. We need to be smarter and more selective as to how we use them.”

Hanley said there’s no reason why the government can’t lift controls as it has planned, even if cases aren’t at zero.

Silver said the Yukon still has no plans to introduce a formal vaccine passport.

Other jurisdictions in Canada are grappling with the question, with some, such as Quebec, embracing the idea last week. Others, including Alberta, have rejected the notion.

Late Monday afternoon, Hanley expressed his sorrow about the territory’s sixth death involving COVID-19 since late 2020.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of another Yukoner to COVID-19, and I send my condolences to the family,” Hanley said.

“We must also use these hard experiences to reinforce the importance of vaccination as a life-saving measure in our fight against COVID-19.”

His office does not release details about those who have died from the virus.

Hanley also reported 19 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between noon last Friday and noon Monday, and four more between noon Monday and noon Tuesday.

With recoveries, today’s active case count is 93. 

On Tuesday, the territory’s total case count since March 22, 2020 was reported at 484, with 414 cases since June 1. One case previously identified as positive has been determined negative.

“For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 9, 19 confirmed cases (all Yukoners),” Hanley said Monday afternoon.

“Eighteen Whitehorse, one rural community pending confirmation.”

Three hundred seventeen individuals have recovered since June 1.

Hanley is advising individuals to assume that COVID-19 is widespread – and act accordingly.

Anyone experiencing any of the symptoms, even if mild, should get tested.

Testing for COVID-19 infection is more important than ever.

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 for faster access to results.

Anyone experiencing symptoms in Whitehorse should call the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre at 393-3083 or book online to arrange for testing.

Drive-up testing is available in Whitehorse 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.