WHITEHORSE - Yukon’s performing chief medical officer of well being says school-based surveillance and administration of COVID-19 is the following “logical step” to maintain tempo with the quickly spreading Omicron variant.
Dr. Catherine Elliott stated the federal government will now not be issuing college publicity notifications for the virus throughout a information convention Tuesday, the identical day new restrictions on gatherings took impact.
Elliott says whereas most colleges have transitioned again to in-person studying, some are pivoting to distant studying based mostly on low staffing ranges because of the Omicron variant.
To assist hold households up to date, dad and mom shall be knowledgeable immediately by their colleges of any operational modifications and a every day snapshot of the varsity scenario shall be posted to Yukon.ca.
Elliott says nobody is at the moment hospitalized within the territory with COVID-19, however 27 new instances have been reported, bringing the overall variety of confirmed lively instances to 306.
She says it makes extra sense for the federal government to watch COVID-19’s unfold by way of colleges based mostly on higher-level absenteeism charges moderately than ready for particular person instances to be examined and confirmed by way of interviews.
“We count on different colleges to shift to distant studying for brief intervals resulting from related circumstances,” she says.
Premier Sandy Silver says the territory expects to obtain 100 therapy programs of an antiviral therapy by Pfizer just lately authorised by Well being Canada for therapy of high-risk COVID-19 instances.
Beneath new tips launched Friday, all personal and public gatherings are restricted to 10 folks or two vaccinated households, together with crew sports activities, recreation, leisure and cultural actions.
This additionally contains bars and eating places, which can stay restricted to 6 folks per desk, and should shut no later than 10 p.m., though takeout might proceed later.
Silver says Omicron has “modified the sport” in Yukon, however the territory has the good thing about studying from different jurisdictions.
Whereas there aren't any hospitalizations, he says even 4 instances in Yukon hospitals may very well be thought of overwhelming as a result of as a rural territory it has fewer sources and staffing shortages are additionally an element.
Elliott famous that modifications to the necessities for PCR testing means complete instances are believed to be increased than these reported.
Casinos and nightclubs stay closed, whereas indoor weddings and funerals are postponed.
Out of doors private gatherings stay restricted to a most of 25 folks from as much as three households.
Out of doors organized occasions are restricted to 50 folks and proof of vaccination is required for many who meet the age eligibility.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Jan. 18, 2022.