From the Whitehorse Star on March 28, 2022 As COVID-19 numbers in the Yukon slowly rise, Dr Catherine Elliott, the current chief medical officer, said an outbreak of COVID-19 at Whitehorse General Hospital. “We are working closely with the staff and leadership of Yukon Hospitals to manage the epidemic,” Elliott said in a press release issued Friday afternoon. “I want to thank all those who have been diligent in limiting their spread. “I would like to remind the Yukoners that masks are needed for hospital staff and patients. “Hospitals remain a safe place to seek medical attention.” According to the announcement, the outbreak was determined after the detection of several connected cases of COVID-19 among the staff. “No staff-to-patient transmission has been detected at this time. “COVID-19 is widespread in the Yukon, so cases are expected in a public place like a hospital,” Elliott said. There are routine epidemic management procedures to keep staff, doctors, patients and the community safe, he said. The Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) works closely with Yukon hospitals to reduce outbreaks and ensure that infection prevention and control practices are followed. The statement added: “Hospitals remain safe places to seek care and Yukoners are encouraged to visit the hospital if they need urgent care or call 911.” The latest Friday figures available on the government’s COVID-19 control panel showed 85 active cases and 16 new cases. Data from the weekend was not available from press tme this afternoon. The test rate is 41.9 percent, which remains much higher than desired. The number gives an indication of how widespread the virus is in the territory. It was announced last week that a 24th Yukoner had died from the virus. Most public restrictions, including the mandatory use of a mask indoors and the verification of vaccination, were lifted earlier this month. The vaccination order for Yukon civil servants will expire next Monday.
