COVID-19 update: August 19, 2020

Wednesday, 19 August 2020 15:30

As of today, August 19, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. All 15 people have recovered. We have tested 2,270 people.

The Government of Yukon has the following updates on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 case count

As of today, August 19, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. All 15 people have recovered. We have tested 2,270 people.

Respiratory Assessment Centre

From August 12 to August 18, 139 people went to the Respiratory Assessment Centre in Whitehorse and we tested 134 people.

Extension of US border restrictions

The Canada Border Services Agency and US Customs are temporarily restricting all non-essential travel across its borders to limit the spread of COVID-19 as a precautionary measure. They’ve extended the current border measures until September 21, 2020.

Long-term care visiting restrictions eased

Residents of Yukon’s five long-term care homes can now receive two designated visitors indoors. They can also have an additional two designated visitors for outside visits. Age restrictions have also been lifted.

We closed long-term care homes to visitors and volunteers on March 16. Outdoor visits were introduced on June 12 for two designated visitors. All visits must be booked in advance. Work continues on planning to reintroduce volunteers to facilities. For more information on these changes, see Yukon.ca.

Travel manners

Yukoners are reminded to follow the Safe 6 even when outside Yukon. As more concerns are raised about the open border with BC and increasing case counts in that province, the Chief Medical Officer of Health says following the Safe 6 is the surest way to stay safe and protect against the spread of COVID-19 both in and out of the territory.

Case announcement

Going forward, new cases of COVID-19 will be identified through news releases and on Yukon.ca. Media events to announce each new case will not be held. As part of living with COVID-19, new cases are expected in the coming months and as we begin to normalize our new reality, we will continue to announce new cases as they’re diagnosed through a news release and on Yukon.ca.

Stay home if you’re sick

While it’s been one of the Safe 6 throughout the duration of the pandemic, staying home when you’re sick has never been more important. Anyone who’s feeling unwell should not go to school or work. If you do not feel well, check the COVID-19 list of symptoms on Yukon.ca, complete the online assessment and get tested if it’s recommended.

Public complaints received

The Government of Yukon has received 559 COVID-19 related complaints:

Failure to self-isolate: 303
Gatherings over 10 inside or 50 outside: 15
Failure to transit through Yukon in 24 hours or stay on their designated route: 223
Businesses failing to comply with Orders: 7
Failure to abide by a declaration or not permitted entry into Yukon: 1
Number of charges under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA): 6

Incoming travellers

A total of 34,316 travellers have come into Yukon:

Resident travellers: 6,303
BC residents: 4,139
NWT residents: 104
Other approved jurisdictions (Nunavut): 84
Non-residents (outside of the bubble) staying: 8,143
Non-residents transiting: 15,533
Other: 10
Number of decals issued: 185

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Whitehorse Emergency Shelter Sees Another Tragic Death, Family Demands Answers

Bailey's biological father also died at the shelter in 2021, and she claims that the shelter's staff provided conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the death of her Step father.
Yukon Risks Blackouts This Winter as Hydro Power Plant Undergoes Repairs

The Aishihik turbine was critically damaged in October, and repair work is not expected to be completed until spring.
Yukon government accused of budgeting interference

Letters from three independent officers of the assembly question Management Board for changing budgets after approval.
Liard First Nation chief has lost confidence, been suspended by his community

LFN citizens who attended a public meeting Tuesday in Watson Lake overwhelmingly sided with the Deputy Chief and Council members who drafted a resolution to have Chief Stephen Charlie suspended from his duties
Liard First Nation Employees Fired After Advocating for Change

Emeral Poppe and Diana Lee Jimmy have been vocal advocates for change within Liard First Nation, raising concerns over transparency.
YFNED kicks off fifth-annual winter hamper program

"We try to support local as much as we can." - YFNED Acting Director of First Nation Initiatives Kim Rumley
Broken generator at Aishihik Generating Station puts pressure on the Yukon's electricity grid

The 12-megawatt generator failed due to a part malfunction, according to the Yukon Energy Corporation
Intergovernmental Forum takes place in Ottawa - not Yukon - for second year running

Forum discussed collaborative approaches to funding the implementation of Final and Self-Government Agreements.
Suspected contamination at the abandoned Wolverine Mine: Yukon government

The Yukon government has been addressing water treatment issues at the site since the mine's abandonment in 2015
Food For Fines Campaign Returns to Whitehors

Eligible tickets include: Expired parking meter fines, and Two-hour zone fines.
Yukon First Nations leadership and Yukon government leadership meet for 30th Yukon Forum

This was the third Yukon Forum of 2024. The last will be the Intergovernmental Forum in Ottawa in December.
Shot in the Dark Productions premiered two films at the Yukon Arts Centre

Shot in the Dark Productions believes puppets can captivate both children and adults, conveying important environmental science themes through entertainment.
Former Connective staff acquitted of sexual assault and exploitation charges

Judge Gurmail Gill found Omale not guilty due to inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony and lack of forensic evidence.
Whitehorse RCMP officers to start using body-worn cameras

The Yukon RCMP adopts body-worn cameras to bolster trust, accountability, and transparency in its community services
Whitehorse Community Thrift Store volunteers stop work following store manager's termination by its board of directors.

Thrift store society founder Karen Weinberg says the manager was fired for raising safety concerns.
Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, Yukon NDP blast Yukon government for delays in Dawson Regional Land Use Plan

“Every day this plan doesn’t get done is another day of status quo for the mining industry. It’s starting to feel like this is by design.” - Yukon NDP Leader Kate White
Newly elected Whitehorse Mayor and Council sworn into office

Mayor Kirk Cameron and Councillors Anne Middler, Dan Boyd, Lenore Morris, Eileen Melynchuk, Jenny Hamilton, and Paolo Gallina have taken their oaths of office.
2024 Yukon River fall chum salmon run records dismal numbers

The Porcupine River revealed alarmingly low numbers, with 16,275 and 8,368 fish recorded
Trial of Former Connective residential support worker accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable client commenced in Whitehorse territorial court on Monday.

Omale, 38 has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability stemming from September 2023.
Whitehorse residents join Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition's Actions for Accountability Rally

Dozens of people marked Poverty and Homelessness Accountability week with a walk to the Jim Smith building, where the mother of a homeless man spent the night camping in the parking lot.