By Canadian Press

Yukon sets out its path from pandemic to endemic for COVID-19 infections

Aug 20, 2021 | 1:47 PM

WHITEHORSE — The Yukon government has set out its framework for moving from the pandemic to an endemic approach, treating COVID-19 much like the flu.

Premier Sandy Silver says the territory is scheduled to lift its state of emergency on Aug. 25, after which a six-pillar approach will help guide Yukon to safely adapt to a disease. 

The pillars include increasing vaccination, continued testing and tracing to curb outbreaks, and supports for vulnerable people.

More than 80 per cent of the territory’s residents are fully vaccinated, but it has 50 active cases and most of its 671 infections came in an outbreak that started in June. 

Acting chief medical officer of health Dr. Catherine Elliott says they expect to find more cases of the Delta variant over the coming days even as they transition to the next phase. 

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She says changes will be made and rules updated if the risk to the community from the Delta variant increases.

Elliott says the territory is expected to receive guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization in about a month on booster shots for its vulnerable population.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2021. 

The Canadian Press