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Whitehorse — The Yukon government has set a framework for the transition from a pandemic to an endemic approach, treating COVID-19 like influenza.
Prime Minister Sandy Silver plans to lift the state of emergency on Friday and the territory on August 25, after which a six-pillar plan entitled Forging Ahead will help the Yukon Territory safely adapt to the disease. Said it would be useful.
Pillars include increased vaccination, ongoing testing, follow-up to control outbreaks, and support for vulnerable people.
Dr. Catherine Elliott, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, said it was important not to overwhelm the system with mass screening and the use of unnecessary tests.
“Therefore, our test guidance is carefully laid out when testing is needed,” she said at a press conference.
“Most of the time, it’s a business as usual and is tested when you’re sick or when your healthcare provider asks you to do so.”
Silver said COVID-19 has unequal impacts on different segments of the population, including women, children and vulnerable people.
“We can’t move forward with all this in mind,” he said.
“We have shaped” Forging Ahead “with the knowledge that social connectivity, physical and mental health, and financial vitality are the basis of the ways we need to move beyond recovery. “
Elliott said the strict rules that everyone is accustomed to are being lifted and people need to learn to reduce their fears.
“If such regulations are needed, we will work together to implement them as needed.”
Authorities emphasized the importance of vaccines and urged people to be vaccinated.
Although more than 80% of the population in the area is fully vaccinated, there are 52 active cases and most of the 671 infections occurred in an outbreak that began in June. It has recorded eight COVID-19-related deaths since the pandemic began.
The territory reported two cases of delta variants on Wednesday.
Elliott said he expects more cases of delta variants in the coming days, even when moving to the next phase.
“This is not surprising when that happens.”
She said she was concerned about the partially vaccinated and unvaccinated populations and the risks they pose.
As the delta variant increases the risk to the community, changes will be made and the rules will be updated, she said.
Guidance from the National Advisory Board on Immunization of Booster Shots Against Vulnerable Populations in the Region, Given the Declining Efficacy of Vaccines Over Time and the Emergence of Delta Mutants, Elliott said. I’m looking forward to it soon.
“We are aware of this issue and yes, we are monitoring and closely tracking it.”
Health Canada confirmed in a statement that the National Advisory Board on Immunization is reviewing the data and will update its recommendations in the coming weeks.
The double dose regimen provides “good immunity” for at least 6 months, but it is not clear how long it will last, or if additional shots are needed, and when.
Elderly people and people with immunodeficiency may not be as protected as others, he said.
For such populations, states and territories may offer additional vaccine doses, it said.
“This is considered off-label use because Health Canada has not approved a triple-dose regimen for any of the vaccines approved in Canada,” he said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday that it would begin offering booster shots to all Americans on September 20, eight months after the second dose of a person.
“We’ve seen a lot of turmoil in things before the authorities make a scientific statement based on evidence reviews. Evidence reviews are ongoing and we’re out of breath. “Eliot said.
“It is expected to outline which population and which period is most appropriate.”
Hina Alam
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