Coronavirus

Acting chief medical officer of health Catherine Elliott. (Yukon News file)

Yukon counts 351 active PCR-tested cases

The Yukon’s numbers don’t include rapid test positives

Acting chief medical officer of health Catherine Elliott. (Yukon News file)
An Abbott Laboratories Panbio COVID- 19 Rapid Test device is displayed at a pop-up COVID-19 testing site on the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2020. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

Yukon government gave over half of rapid tests to mining companies

The government said it is changing tactics, but the decision was criticized by NDP leader Kate White.

An Abbott Laboratories Panbio COVID- 19 Rapid Test device is displayed at a pop-up COVID-19 testing site on the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2020. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
Chief Medical Officer of Health Catherine Elliott speaks to media during a press conference in Whitehorse on September 7. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Yukon reports 471 active cases

Average of 91 new cases per day this week

Chief Medical Officer of Health Catherine Elliott speaks to media during a press conference in Whitehorse on September 7. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Roche rapid test kits are now being distributed at the Takhini Arena. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Yukon makes at-home rapid tests available to people with symptoms

People who still qualify for a lab-based PCR test should not be using the rapid antigen tests

Roche rapid test kits are now being distributed at the Takhini Arena. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Crystal Schick/Yukon News
Tanya Harper takes a moment between vehicles and tests to peek outside the drive-thru testing centre garage door window in Whitehorse on Nov. 24, 2020. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

List of Yukoners eligible for government COVID-19 tests changing as Omicron surges

The testing centre is now recommended for at-risk individuals only.

Crystal Schick/Yukon News
Tanya Harper takes a moment between vehicles and tests to peek outside the drive-thru testing centre garage door window in Whitehorse on Nov. 24, 2020. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Acting chief medical officer of health Catherine Elliott. (Yukon News file)

Yukon reports 41 new COVID-19 cases

Medical officer says true number likely higher amid community spread

Acting chief medical officer of health Catherine Elliott. (Yukon News file)
The Yukon and Saskatchewan were the two jurisdictions in Canada where children returned to school as scheduled. (Black Press file photo)
The Yukon and Saskatchewan were the two jurisdictions in Canada where children returned to school as scheduled. (Black Press file photo)

Schools reopen on schedule despite requests from union and First Nations

Porter Creek Secondary School has gone to online learning due to a staff shortage.

The Yukon and Saskatchewan were the two jurisdictions in Canada where children returned to school as scheduled. (Black Press file photo)
The Yukon and Saskatchewan were the two jurisdictions in Canada where children returned to school as scheduled. (Black Press file photo)
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations artist Cole Pauls designed graphic art blocks with southern Tutchone messaging, and more panels are on the way. (Courtesy of Champagne Aishihik First Nation)

Rapid testing proving useful for Yukon communities

This is the second January living with COVID-19 for Yukoners. Much has…

Champagne and Aishihik First Nations artist Cole Pauls designed graphic art blocks with southern Tutchone messaging, and more panels are on the way. (Courtesy of Champagne Aishihik First Nation)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has issued new recommendations for testing as Omicron surges in the Yukon. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News file)

Yukon protocols for testing and isolation adjusted as Omicron spreads

Rapid tests may soon be available in the territory as the testing centre approaches capacity.

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has issued new recommendations for testing as Omicron surges in the Yukon. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News file)
Chief Medical Officer of Health Catherine Elliott speaks to media during a press conference in Whitehorse on September 7. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Omicron cases spike upwards over the weekend

The territory now has a 32 per cent test positivity rate.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Catherine Elliott speaks to media during a press conference in Whitehorse on September 7. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Close contacts of COVID-19 cases asked to self-isolate for seven days

Spike in cases on Dec. 30 is “early sign of community transmission” of omicron.

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott announced more COVID-19 cases, mostly based in Whitehorse on Oct. 29. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Yukon records 34 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

The Yukon’s total number of COVID-19 cases has jumped in the last…

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott announced more COVID-19 cases, mostly based in Whitehorse on Oct. 29. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Acting chief medical officer of health Catherine Elliott. (Yukon News file)

Yukon records 27 COVID-19 cases since Christmas Eve

The Yukon recorded 27 new COVID-19 cases from Dec. 24 to 29.…

Acting chief medical officer of health Catherine Elliott. (Yukon News file)
Signs on the door of the Yukon Convention Centre in downtown Whitehorse June 1, 2020. (Jackie Hong/Yukon News)

Seven Yukon organizations funded to study pandemic impact

The research will focus on things like how First Nations implemented restrictions and effects on business

Signs on the door of the Yukon Convention Centre in downtown Whitehorse June 1, 2020. (Jackie Hong/Yukon News)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott announced more COVID-19 cases, mostly based in Whitehorse on Oct. 29. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Yukon guidelines for safe COVID-19 holiday include cautious travel and small gatherings

“We will learn to live with Omicron. Until that time it’s wise to limit our activity.”

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott announced more COVID-19 cases, mostly based in Whitehorse on Oct. 29. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Yukon reports 60 active COVID-19 cases

The most recent COVID-19 numbers released by the Yukon government show 29…

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Yukoners warned to be cautious during holidays in face of Omicron

Yukoners are being asked to be cautious with holiday gatherings as the…

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott on July 21. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Yukon will offer booster shots to all adults as two cases of Omicron identified

The booster shots will provide increased protection against all the COVID-19 variants.

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott on July 21. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Some COVID-19 restrictions set to ease Dec. 4 while masks remain in place

The government says that 2 per cent of full-time employees refused to provide proof of vaccination.

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. André Corriveau. (Government of Yukon/Facebook)

Territory reports 13th COVID-19 death

Number of active cases now at 69

Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. André Corriveau. (Government of Yukon/Facebook)