COVID-19 - Premier Sandy Silver Statement

Thursday, 12 March 2020 17:38

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver released the following statement regarding COVID-19.

"After careful consideration and out of an abundance of caution, I will not be attending the First Ministers' Meeting this week. Prior to making this decision I took into account the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) and my attendance at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual conference earlier this month.

The risk for COVID-19 in Yukon and Canada remains low and Yukon's medical system is well prepared for this situation.

In making this decision, the Chief Medical Officer of Health and I considered what might happen if I needed to self-isolate outside of the Yukon and the impacts that would have. At this time, I feel my efforts are needed here at home.

Obviously, this is an extremely rare situation and this is a precautionary measure. We see great value in these meetings and merit in attending. Today I spoke directly with the Prime Minister and am confident Yukon priorities will be shared at the meeting.

Also out of an abundance of caution following today's announcement about the case at Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference, Minister Pillai is being tested for COVID-19 and will self-isolate until the results are clear. I understand that the Public Service Commission is also reaching out to employees who attended this event to share relevant information.

Yukoner's, I urge you to remain calm and to follow the advice of credible medical professionals. Yukon's Chief Medical Officer of Health has been providing updates on the virus and is sharing these through local media and the Yukon.ca website as well as the CMOH site.

The most clear and constant advice about this virus is to remain vigilant. Wash your hands, cover your mouth if you cough, disinfect objects you touch frequently, avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are not feeling well.

If you are presenting with symptoms, contact a health provider through 811."

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is quarantining himself at home after his wife exhibited flu-like symptoms, including a low fever when she returned from a speaking engagement in Britain late Wednesday night. She is being tested for the COVID-19 disease and is awaiting results. The statement says: "Out of an abundance of caution, the Prime Minister is opting to self-isolate and work from home until receiving Sophie's results."

Worldwide, 126,000 people have been infected with the new coronavirus, 68,000 have recovered and 4,600 have died.