The COVID-19 situation in the territory remains steady with no active cases – to date, the Yukon has seen 15 cases of the virus.

However, given recent projection models, Dr. Brendan Hanley, the chief medical officer said Wednesday, it’s not a time to rest on our laurels. Instead, he urged Yukoners to remain vigilant.

Hanley and Premier Sandy Silver addressed media at their weekly COVID-19 press conference.

“Modelling information figures released (Tuesday) by Canada’s chief public health officer Theresa Tam show the epidemic is accelerating rapidly,” said Hanley.

“Dr. Tam warned that if Canadians don’t continue to practise public health measures, the virus can be expected to surge faster and stronger than the first wave.

“Projections indicate that cases could climb to more than 5,000 per day. Short-term projections show there could be over 150,000 cases by early October and 9,000 additional deaths.”

Hanley stressed that the only protection against COVID-19 is in how we behave.

“In Yukon, we have only had to manage COVID cases occasionally but we are continually managing COVID risk,” he said.

“The risk of one COVID incursion that turns into an outbreak, it can be life-threatening to some, or stretch our health care or our public health capacity.

“Managing COVID risk means being vigilant while maintaining that balance. It means reasonable preventative measures in place that make sense for us without community transmissions but without having to go through the restrictions other areas have faced and are now facing again.”

Hanley and Silver said it’s important that Yukoners continue to practise the safe six. Silver added the biggest COVID threat is outside the territory.

“We currently have no active cases of COVID in the Yukon,” said the premier.

“That means the biggest threat is the importation of the virus from another jurisdiction where there are active cases.”

As influenza season approaches, Hanley said, it’s important that everyone gets their flu shot this year.

“This year, I think we can all agree that it is even more important than usual,” said Hanley.

“Since we can’t tell the difference between COVID and the flu by symptoms alone, what we want to prevent is people getting sick from either.”

This year, Hanley said, flu shots will be administered on a drop-in basis at the Yukon Convention Centre, with no appointment required.

“We are doing it this way to maximize the number of people getting the flu shot, to keep them safe while getting a shot, and cleaning between patients easier and faster,” he said.

Pharmacists in Whitehorse will also be able to administer the flu shots in their businesses. They will be announcing their own details.

In rural communities, people can receive the flu shot at the health centres.

The vaccine will be available on Oct. 19 for high-risk citizens and a week later, Oct. 26 for the general public.

Hanley also announced that the Yukon’s COVID-19 Testing Centre (CTC) – renamed from the Respiratory Assessment Centre (REC) – will extend its hours. It will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The increased hours of the CTC is part of the efforts to increase our testing capacity as well as in anticipation of possible increased demand during the influenza season,” said Hanley.

Silver, fresh off a trip to several communities, said the Yukon is fortunate to be in the position it’s in, and thanked the teams of border officials in the communities for their dedicated work.

“We have had more than 48,000 travellers enter the territory over the past few months, including more than 18,000 non-residents transiting through our territory,” said Silver.

“Even with all of these travellers, we have not seen any cases related to people travelling through the territory.”

Silver also announced there have been three new charges under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA).

Two are for hosting an indoor gathering surpassing 10 people, and one involves a failure to self-isolate for 14 days. The government does not identify the accused parties.

It has received 832 complaints since the pandemic began:

• failure to self-isolate: 466;

• social gatherings over 10 inside or 50 outside: 23;

• failure to transit through the Yukon in 24 hours or stay on the designated route: 321;

• businesses failing to comply with orders: nine; and

• failure to abide by a declaration form or not permitted entry into the Yukon: 12.

There have been a total of 11 people charged, and 15 charges laid under the CEMA.