Before this morning’s announcement of a fatal case of COVID-19 in the Yukon, Dr. Brendan Hanley, the territory’s chief medical officer, confirmed a new case on Thursday afternoon.

It was the territory’s 23rd case of COVID-19 infection and is not linked to the cluster in Watson Lake announced late last Friday.

Laboratory results confirmed the positive diagnosis on Wednesday night.

Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) staff have completed contact tracing, Hanley said, and there is no risk of public exposure.

“Because they had travelled as well as having a contact history, the person was already self-isolating and is recovering well at home,” a government statement said.

“The new case was identified through contact tracing and is linked to travel-related cases previously reported in Whitehorse.”

As a reminder, the government said, anyone who develops symptoms, regardless of how mild, should self-isolate immediately and arrange for testing.

As always, anyone seeking urgent medical care should go to emergency departments and community health centres.

“This newest case serves to underline the importance of thorough contact tracing in controlling COVID-19 transmission in our territory,” said Hanley.

“In Yukon, contact tracing is carried out by Yukon Communicable Disease Control in collaboration with community nursing and health care providers throughout the territory.”

During Wednesday’s weekly media briefing, Hanley urged Yukoners to skip indoor Halloween gatherings this weekend.

“I am aware of the temptation and have heard of many parties planned for this upcoming weekend,” he said.

“I understand that this is a weekend spent having fun with friends, but I urge you to keep the fun outside and spaced.”

As the rest of Canada sees surging COVID-19 case numbers, Hanley noted that some outbreaks can be traced back to Thanksgiving festivities.

He expressed concern that Halloween weekend could have the same effect and further exacerbate the pandemic.

“Let’s not jeopardize our good place with parties that can go off the rails, and take us all with them,” Hanley said.

“I ask all Yukoners who are planning to party to reconsider; your participation may have severe consequences not only for yourself, but for all of us along with you.”

Hanley suggested several alternative Halloween activities: watching a scary movie, visiting a haunted walk, handing out treats or hosting a small fire gathering outdoors.

He advised that children can still safely go trick-or-treating with the proper precautions.

Children or parents that aren’t feeling well should stay home, and families should only trick-or-treat with their household bubble, Hanley advised.

Stay six feet away from other trick-or-treaters. Use a broom, sword or hockey stick to knock on doors.

Tongs or other devices can be used to hand out treats at a distance.

Hanley advised against placing a communal bowl of candy at the front of the house. 

“We have seen households rising to the occasion by creating candy shoots, Game of Thrones-inspired slingshots to give kids their candy,” Hanley said.

Hanley said he is confident that these guidelines will make trick-or-treating safe for families.

“But, of course, it depends on the parent and the family,” Hanley said.

“Some parents may just not feel comfortable with trick-or-treating and that is perfectly fine; this is a COVID year, everything is different this year.”

Hanley also warned against acquiescing to pandemic fatigue, which he understands everyone is beginning to feel.

“We may feel OK one day, drained and exhausted the next,” Hanley said.

“But we can’t give up … if we let our guard down and pretend it is not a threat, we will simply invite COVID in.”

Hanley recommended establishing a routine, helping a neighbour, trying a new hobby or reviving an old one.

“This has been a difficult week, but despite it all, we are still doing OK.”

The last five cases of COVID-19 in Watson Lake are recovering at home, Hanley said. None of those five people have travelled outside the territory – and the source of the transmission remains unknown.

Watson Lake residents experiencing symptoms of sickness are advised to seek a test. 

Three locations were flagged for potential exposure on specific dates last week: the Super A grocery store from Oct. 8-16; Home Hardware on Oct. 7 and Oct. 10; and the Big Horn Motel from Oct. 7-9 and 13-20.

The motel advisory was previously from Oct. 13-16 and was extended by four days Thursday.

Anyone who was in those locations on those dates is advised to self-monitor for symptoms.

Another person was charged with failing to self-isolate this week, according to Premier Sandy Silver. The total number of people who have been charged with violating COVID-19 rules is now 20.

The government of Yukon had received 950 complaints as of Monday, including:

• failure to self-isolate: 525; • gatherings over 10 inside or 50 outside: 26; • failure to transit through Yukon in 24 hours or stay on the designated route: 365; • businesses failing to comply with orders: 10; and • failure to abide by a declaration form or not permitted entry into Yukon: 14.

A total of 56,837 travellers have come into Yukon, including 13,687 resident travellers and 12,784 B.C. residents.