Revised - Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s medical officer of health, is introducing a plan to vaccinate seasonal workers and residents returning from out-of-territory – such as post-secondary students – during their self-isolation periods.

That was one of the more significant pieces of news coming from Wednesday’s weekly COVID-19 briefing conducted by Hanley.

It’s a bid to nip any more potential exposures and to keep promoting the ongoing vaccine programs. It’s also a nod to the inevitable return of college and university students and seasonal workers.

Hanley also stressed he is strongly recommending that everyone in a household with a returning family member or friend should isolate for 14 days along with the person entering the territory.

He’s not making it mandatory under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA) regulations, but he’s strongly encouraging it.

The new policy will allow anyone in self-isolation permission to receive a rapid test followed by a same-day inoculation if the test is negative.

At the time of Hanley’s briefing, the Yukon had two active cases. One was linked to a public notification for the Watson Lake area, while the other was linked to a previous case.

The exposure notice for Watson Lake, as it turns out, was a result of a “small breach” of self-isolation for a person who had returned from travel within Canada.

Questioned by a reporter, Hanley eventually acknowledged the situation.

He didn’t say whether any further action would be taken other than the release.

On Thursday, Hanley confirmed two new cases of COVID-19.

Cases 79 and 80, both adults in Whitehorse, are in the same household. The source of infection is currently under investigation.

The two people are self-isolating and recovering at home. Contact tracing is ongoing.

The accompanying exposure notification says people may have been exposed to COVID-19 infection if they were at Wykes’ Your Independent Grocer between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. April 10.

Anyone who was there and has symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested, take the online self-assessment and arrange to get tested either by calling 867-393-3083 or booking a test online https://book-covid-19-test.service.yukon.ca/en/

At his briefing, Hanley continued to stress the importance of vaccines, even after the head of the Yukon Medical Association expressed doubts about the further success of the program.

Dr. Ryan Warshawski told CBC Yukon this week he is concerned the vaccination rollout has “plateaued.”

Hanley said he was aware of the comments, and had discussed them with Warshawski.

He said he disagreed somewhat with the comments.

The vaccine rollout is still making slow progress, he added, although younger adults are still not receiving their inoculations in the numbers he would hope for.

As of the end of Tuesday, 45,971 doses of the Moderna vaccine had been administered in the Yukon. This number is comprised of 25,216 first doses and 20,755 second doses.

By region, the percentage of residents who have received a first dose is: 72 per cent in north Yukon; 81 per cent in west Yukon; 54 per cent in central Yukon; 59 per cent in southeast Yukon; and 72 per cent in Whitehorse.

By region, the percentage of residents who have received a second dose is: 66 per cent in north Yukon; 74 per cent in west Yukon; 47 per cent in central Yukon; 53 per cent in southeast Yukon; and 59 per cent in Whitehorse.

Visit Yukon.ca for the latest vaccination data and progress reporting.

A clinic in Whitehorse is open for residents aged 18 and older to receive their first and second doses of the vaccine by appointment or by walk-in.

The third round of mobile vaccination tours to Yukon communities is complete. Residents aged 18 and older can call their local health centre for an appointment or can receive a vaccination in Whitehorse.

Meanwhile, long-term care homes are engaging with residents and families to develop a plan for safe community outings and more visitors for residents at the homes. The goal is to implement these changes during the week of May 3.

Hanley also touched on the question of Yukon medical officials volunteering to travel to hard-hit Ontario.

The province and the federal government are looking for medical volunteers from all over Canada to help out there, as the pandemic is spinning dangerously close to being out of control.

He said he believes the Yukon cannot spare any professionals, particularly nurses, but noted he can’t dictate whether anyone willing could go or not.

“We’re stretched now to provide normal health care,” he said.

From April 14 to the past Tuesday, 43 people were tested at the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre.

The latest enforcement statistics show the government had received 1,782 complaints as of Tuesday:

• Failure to self-isolate: 1,009;

• Gatherings over 10 inside or 50 outside: 46;

• Failure to transit through the Yukon in 24 hours or stay on their designated route: 459;

• Businesses failing to comply with orders: 20;

• Failure to abide by declaration form: 41;

• Failure to wear a mask: 160; and

• Failure to physically distance: 47.

There have been four new charges since April 13 issued by CEMA officers (two failure to self-isolate charges and two failure to provide declaration charges).

There has been a total of 77 charges and 61 people charged under CEMA.

The number of total incoming travellers: 78,409.

Resident travellers: 21,135.

B.C. residents: 16,321.

N.W.T. residents: 520.

Other approved jurisdictions: 1,198.

Non-residents staying: 14,683.

Non-residents transiting: 24,455.

Other: 97.

Windshield decals distributed indicating out-of-territory vehicles allowed in the Yukon: 384.

See letters.