Despite Whitehorse being ground zero in a new COVID-19 outbreak over the weekend, there will be no immediate return to tight health restrictions.

Dr. Catherine Elliott, the territory’s acting medical officer of health, held a news conference this morning after declaring the outbreak over the weekend.

“An outbreak among people who are not yet vaccinated is concerning, and we are very likely to see more cases in the coming days,” she said.

“It is now more important than ever that people in Whitehorse follow the Safe 6 + 1, that people with symptoms isolate and get tested, and that we all get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The Gamma (P.1) variant is highly transmissible in groups who are not yet vaccinated. The vaccine is protective.

“Our response goal is to keep people healthy and protect those at risk of severe disease. This requires us all to follow this guidance.”

More than a dozen new cases were discovered during that time period. Some are being traced to graduation activities for high school students, particularly at Porter Creek Secondary School.

That led to the cancellation of the school’s prom on Saturday. All members of the graduating class are now self-isolating.

There are now 21 active cases in the territory.

Despite that, there will be no immediate move to lower the boom with tighter health restrictions.

“We have a plan to increase measures but we’re not there yet,” she said.

Elliott suggested a return to more careful adherence to the Safe Six + One health measures would help the situation.

This morning, she attributed much of the outbreak to people not following the Safe Six properly, particularly physical distancing amongst the infected people.

She attributed some of that to COVID-19 fatigue and complacency.

“The rules are solid and they work,” she said. “Again and again, we’ve been surprised by COVID.”

Elliott added this is an example of why Yukoners can’t let their guard down with the virus still lurking.

The outbreak is showing signs of spreading further beyond the Whitehorse area and into rural communities as well.

The Carcross/Tagish First Nation has issued a notice there are cases in the community and has largely shut down its government.

Burwash Landing has announced it has one case, and is taking comparable measures for the Kluane First Nation. It has issued a notice that any citizens showing virus-type symptoms must self-isolate for 14 days.

Travel in and out of the community is also being discouraged.

Enforcement measures could be employed if necessary.

The Kwanlin Dun First Nation has said it has two cases in the McIntyre neighbourhood of Whitehorse.

The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation government in Dawson City has also had an exposure with an individual positive for COVID-19 who was in its administration building.

The government offices there will be accessible only to pre-booked appointments.

Dawson Mayor Wayne Potoroka went public last week to acknowledge the municipality had a case.

These announcements come in spite of an edict from the government and health officials not to publicly identify communities.

Government officials believe such identification could “stigmatize” affected communities.

There are no plans to change the policy, Elliott said today, despite the communities starting to do end-rounds around it.

With the exception of one worker at the Victoria Gold Mine, Elliott said, all cases involved people either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.

That includes one of the students infected.

Vaccines haven’t been available for youth aged 12-17 for any of them to be fully vaccinated.

“All community cases are contact cases,” Elliott said.

“Either it’s residents of Whitehorse, people who have been in Whitehorse, or who have been in contact with people who have been in Whitehorse.

“I am concerned about this outbreak. We don’t want any more cases or more severe cases. We’re working extremely hard to trace contacts.”

Currently, more than 100 people have been identified as contacts, which will take some time to sift through.

“If you know you are a contact of a case, you need to isolate,” she said.

All contacts of a person with COVID-19 must isolate for an entire 14 days since last exposure.

Contacts who are fully vaccinated must isolate only if they are a household contact of a person with COVID-19.

A household contact is defined as living with a case or having direct physical contact (e.g. caregiver, partner) even if not living with an individual.

Contact means sharing saliva, or coughing on another person, talking for 15 minutes without physical distancing and other similar types of shared activities.

For anyone who is fully vaccinated, Elliott said it is believed it would require prolonged contacts, such as with a household member, to be at risk.

“We are seeing this outbreak in groups of people who are not yet vaccinated,” Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee in a news release.

“It is a strong reminder of how important it is to get your shots in order to protect our loved ones and our communities.

“We can slow the spread down by doing our part; you can book your vaccine appointment at any time.

“Please follow the Safe 6 + 1, maintain your social bubbles diligently, and I encourage all Yukoners to continue to self-monitor for symptoms.”

Elliott said a tally hadn’t been made yet of how many cases are related to the Porter Creek Secondary School situation.

The total number of cases in the Yukon is now 104.