The Yukon's COVID-19 situation is stabilizing

Wednesday, 24 November 2021 11:47

By Dylan MacNeil

Dr. André Corriveau speaking at this morning's COVID-19 update (screen shot from facebook.com/yukongov).

Daily case counts are on a downward trend.

At this morning’s COVID-19 update, Premier Sandy Silver said that the territory is on track to open vaccine clinics to kids by first week of December and that a shipment of shots for children is expected to reach the Yukon in the coming days.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” said Silver.

On Friday, Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in children five to 11 years old. Kids will be getting a lower dose than the standard shot. Instead of the two 30 microgram doses people 12 an over get, youngsters will get 10 micrograms in their two syringes, three weeks apart. According to Health Canada, the vaccine was 90.7 percent effective in clinical trials and showed no serious side effects.

Also at this morning’s update, Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. André Corriveau said that circuit break safety measure implemented on November 13 in response to a surge in cases are working.

“Over the past week we saw a stabilization,” said Dr. Corriveau.

“What we’re seeing this week is the beginning of what we hope will be a continuing and increasing downward slope in the daily case count,” he added.

Dr. Corriveau said that the full impact of safety measures won’t be known until the end of the week.

There were eight new infections reported today. Currently there are 121 active cases in the territory.

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