A third Yukon case of COVID-19 was discovered this morning in an individual who was travelling within Canada and is now in self-isolation.

Dr. Brendan Hanley, the territory’s chief medical officer, provided an update this morning with Pauline Frost, the Health minister.

Case investigation and contact tracing are now underway to identify whether the individual came into contact with other Yukoners before entering isolation. The positive test result came 48 hours after the individual was tested.

Hanley said the quick turnaround time of the test result is encouraging, after backlogs in testing last week warned of six-day delays.

The chief medical officer is advising a 14-day isolation period for all Yukoners returning from Outside travel, it was announced last Sunday.

This case shows the importance of self-isolating after travel to other provinces and territories, Hanley said.

The person’s place of residency in the Yukon was not disclosed.

As of this morning, 517 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the Yukon, with 412 negative results and 102 tests still pending.

This morning’s announcement also included information about the territory’s new respiratory assessment centre, health care insurance and hospital procedures.

The respiratory assessment centre was opened at the Yukon Convention Centre at the south end of Fourth Avenue on Monday.

The centre is not a walk-in clinic. Yukoners will be referred to the clinic by a health care professional, via the 8-1-1 nurse’s hotline, the hospital, a family physician or Yukon Communicable Disease Control.

The assessment centre will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first two opening hours will be dedicated to treating patients with chronic health conditions or patients aged 65 and older.

The government is now extending the Health Care Insurance Plan to cover Yukon residents who are not able to return to the territory. The usual 180-day Yukon residency requirement to access insurance has been waived.

The Yukon’s hospitals will also be suspending all non-urgent or routine services effective Thursday. These include bloodwork, lab tests, x-rays, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, CT scans and other imaging services.

The measure will enable physical distancing in hospitals and ensure there is capacity to respond to a potential COVID-19 outbreak.

Hanley said he has received communication from Yukoners who are looking for more extreme measures, like closing the Yukon border and all non-essential businesses. He explained that such measures have colossal impacts, and his office is still working with a measured approach.

“Let’s not underestimate the effects of shutting down … we are already facing months to years of recovery,” Hanley said.

He added that the potential risk of allowing some businesses and mines to remain open are not being taken lightly, but are carefully measured against the impact of closures. The territory is trying not to go “too far, too fast.”

The Yukon’s mines are continuing to operate under careful guidance for safe practices, as their closure would result in “severe consequences,” Hanley said.

He provided a series of recommendations to maintain healthy well-being while social distancing.

He said Yukoners should continue connecting via social media, spending time outside, getting exercise and diving into new skills or hobbies.

People can still meet, talk and eat together as long as two-metre spacing is observed, Hanley added.

“If you’re getting stressed by COVID, take a COVID day off,” Hanley said.

He suggested tuning into the news once a day, rather than constantly seeking updates on the number of national cases.

Finally, Hanley encouraged Yukoners to reach out to Mental Wellness Substance Use Support, the Canadian Mental Health Association and private counsellors offering phone services. 

“Taking care of each other has never been as important to protect our collective mental health; be kind to people, look after each other,” Hanley said.

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