Yukon News Releases
Warning issued following increase in opioid-related deaths in the Yukon
The Yukon’s Chief Coroner Heather Jones has confirmed four deaths due to illicit drugs in the first seven days of January 2022. Three of these deaths are the result of fentanyl. Further, the Yukon Coroner’s Service is investigating three more deaths occurring between January 15 and 19 that are suspected to be drug related. Toxicology results related to these three additional deaths are pending.
New temporary public health measures now in force
Stronger public health measures needed to address the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the Yukon are now enforceable under the Civil Emergency Measures Act.
The new temporary public health measures are being introduced to further limit contact between individuals and prevent further strain on public health systems based on recommendations from the Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Public health measures now in effect include:
Statement on the new COVID-19 treatment PAXLOVID
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee and the acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott have issued the following statement:
“The Government of Yukon is pleased that Health Canada has authorized a new drug to treat adults who have been diagnosed mild to moderate COVID-19 and are at risk of developing serious disease.
Stronger public health measures needed to address rapid spread of COVID-19
The Government of Yukon is strengthening public health measures to address the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the Yukon as a result of the highly contagious Omicron variant.
The Yukon is experiencing unprecedented numbers of COVID-19 cases that threaten to overwhelm the territory's health care system.
Based on recommendations from the Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, new temporary public health measures are being introduced to further limit contact between individuals and prevent further strain on public health systems.
Statement on the opioid crisis and mental health concerns in the Yukon
Premier Sandy Silver and Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee have issued the following statement:
“The start of this year has been extremely difficult and incredibly sad, as our territory continues to struggle with devastating loss of life due to opioids and mental health issues.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to all of the families, friends and communities mourning and navigating these troubling times.
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health declares COVID-19 outbreak at Copper Ridge Place
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has declared an outbreak at the Copper Ridge Place long-term care home following the identification of two COVID-19 cases.
The current situation is contained and routine outbreak management procedures are in place, including screening and testing protocols. Additional information has been shared with residents, staff and families.
Travel recommendations from the acting Chief Medical Officer of Health
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is recommending that Yukoners returning from domestic travel monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and self-isolate when they are sick.
This new recommendation removes the recommendation to reduce contacts for the three or five day period following travel that were included in the holiday guidelines on Yukon.ca. This change is being made to reflect that COVID-19 activity is similar in the Yukon to that outside the territory.
New media funding programs support Yukon content creators
The Government of Yukon is launching new film, television and digital media funding programs to support the territory’s media content creators and provide economic benefits and employment opportunities to Yukoners working in screen based industries. These programs consist of the Predevelopment Fund, Development Fund, Media Production Fund and the Training Fund.
The Yukon is providing take-home, self-administered rapid COVID-19 tests for people with symptoms
To help meet the growing demand for testing in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the Government of Yukon is providing rapid antigen tests to Yukoners with symptoms of COVID-19 free of charge.
Additional public health measures in force
Additional public health measures intended to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and limit impacts on the Yukon’s health care system are now enforceable under the Civil Emergency Measures Act.
These additional temporary public health measures are based on recommendations from the Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health:
Government of Yukon updates COVID-19 testing approach
Based on the recommendations of the acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Government of Yukon is adjusting its approach to testing for COVID-19 in response to the advent of the new Omicron variant of concern.
With widespread community transmission of Omicron throughout the territory and across Canada, there is no longer the capacity to use lab-based PCR tests for most people to confirm whether they have COVID-19.
Omicron cases increasing quickly
Covid-19 case counts are on the rise in the territory with 158 new cases since Friday, December 31, 2021, 245 active cases and 32 per cent test positivity rate.
The acting Chief Medical Officer of Health is urging the public to stay home when sick with even the mildest of symptoms.
Additional public health measures introduced in response to spread of Omicron variant in the Yukon
Please note Yukoners are strongly encouraged to follow these new measures immediately and they will be enforced under the Civil Emergency Measures Act starting on January 7, 2022 .
Based on new recommendations from the Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, additional temporary public health measures are being introduced in the Yukon to limit the spread of COVID-19. In recent days there has been a significant increase in active cases of COVID-19 in the territory as well as community transmission of the Omicron variant.
Fifteenth Yukon resident dies of COVID-19
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has reported another death of a Yukon citizen from COVID-19. This brings the total to 15 since the first death was reported in October 2020.
There are currently 106 active cases of COVID-19 in the territory. There have been 26 new cases in the last 24 hours.
Early sign of community transmission of Omicron variant in the Yukon, new recommendations introduced
A significant increase in active cases of COVID-19 is an early sign of community transmission of the variant of concern, Omicron, in the Yukon.
There were 34 new active cases of COVID-19 reported this morning.
Camping fees set to increase in 2022
As part of the implementation of the Yukon Parks Strategy, camping fees for Yukon campgrounds are going up in 2022 for the first time in 20 years. The new fees will contribute to the maintenance and sustainability of the Yukon’s world-class system of parks and campgrounds so that users can continue to have access to quality, affordable camping experiences now and in the future.
Call for Youth Panel on Climate Change applicants
The Government of Yukon is calling for applications to form the next Youth Panel on Climate Change that will provide perspectives and advice to the Yukon government on how to address climate change in the territory.
Yukon youth ages 13 to 25 are encouraged to apply. The deadline for application is January 21, 2022.
Panel members will reflect the diversity of Yukon youth and will have a keen interest in helping others learn about climate change and how to take meaningful action.
School communities to vote on joining the first Yukon First Nation School Board
Announced June 2021, the Yukon First Nation School Board Framework sets out the process for the creation of a First Nation School Board under the Education Act.
As of December 13, 2021, the following school councils and school communities have submitted a resolution or a verified petition to trigger a referendum:
Shingles vaccine program expanded
The Government of Yukon is expanding the eligibility for the publicly funded shingles vaccine program for Yukoners. The Shingles vaccine will be available starting December 6, 2021, in Whitehorse pharmacies to all Yukoners aged 65 to 79. The previous age eligibility was for those 65 to 70.
Shingles is a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles, which manifests as an unpleasant rash.
