October 26 COVID-19 Update – Watson Lake cluster now at 5

Source: Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Government of Yukon

Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has issued the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Brendan Hanley today confirmed 2 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 22 cases since the 1st case was announced on March 22, 2020.

These 2 new cases are associated with the recent exposures in Watson Lake. Both people had not recently travelled and are from the same household which has confirmed direct exposures. A source of origin is still being investigated and contact tracing is actively underway. The 2 people are currently doing well and self-isolating at home.

People who were at the following locations on the following dates are urged to arrange for testing at Watson Lake Community Hospital immediately:

  • Watson Lake Foods – Super A – October 8 and October 16
  • Home Hardware – October 7 and October 10
  • Big Horn Motel – October 7 through  9 and 13 through 16

Watson Lake residents who have any symptoms, even mild, are urged to seek out testing.

The symptoms to watch for are:  

  • fever/chills;
  • cough;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • shortness of breath;
  • runny nose;
  • sore throat;
  • loss of sense of taste or smell;
  • headache;
  • fatigue;
  • loss of appetite;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • diarrhea; and
  • muscle aches.