One more Yukoner has succumbed to COVID-19, showing the current outbreak still has some dangerously sharp teeth left to it.

Dr. Brendan Hanley, the chief medical officer of health, reported the additional death late Thursday afternoon. No details were provided.

“We are saddened to report another COVID-19 death and our deepest sympathies are with the family of the individual who passed away last night in hospital,” Hanley said.

“An unfortunate fact was this person was not immunized. We are losing too many Yukoners to this virus. Please get vaccinated.

“Sooner or later, COVID-19 will find its way to the unvaccinated, and they are at the greatest risk.”

Hanley also reported seven new cases of COVID-19 between noon Wednesday and noon Thursday.

The number of active cases is currently at 80.   They are from across the Yukon.

Meanwhile, the eligibility for youth for a COVID-19 vaccine has been expanded, the Yukon government announced Wednesday.

Anyone born in 2009, even if he or she has not yet turned 12 years old, is eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

“This is an important step before students start returning to school,” the government said in a statement.

The various safeguards planned for the return to classes next month have not yet been announced.

Immunizers are providing both Pfizer for 12- to 17-year-olds and Moderna for those 18 years and older.

The return clinics began Monday in Carcross, and teams were in Faro Wednesday. They will travel to Haines Junction and Watson Lake as well this week.

Yukoners are being encouraged to use this opportunity to ask any questions they may still have about the vaccine.

Clinics will continue in Whitehorse three days a week. Starting Aug. 3, clinics will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m.

“Like many other Canadian jurisdictions, we are now immunizing anyone who was born in 2009,” noted Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.

“These youngsters do not need to be 12 to get the shot; they only need to be turning 12 this year. This will allow more of our youth to be protected against COVID-19.

“We are continuing to support communities and Yukoners with mobile vaccine clinics,” McPhee added.

“I encourage everyone to go to those clinics to get their questions answered and get the vaccine.”

Hanley said he is “pleased that we can now expand our protective net of vaccination to youth who are not yet 12 but born in 2009.

“Every additional Yukoner vaccinated increases our safety net against COVID-19 infection,” Hanley added.

“With the additional rural immunization visits, Yukoners have yet another chance to get vaccinated. Please take the opportunity if you have not already. We are seeing in real time the toll that this pandemic is having on our unvaccinated citizens.”

Vaccine clinics will take place in Beaver Creek, Destruction Bay, Mayo, Pelly Crossing, Carmacks and Dawson City next week.

More clinics will take place in Teslin, Ross River and Old Crow the week of Aug. 9.

On Wednesday, for the first time since June 5, Hanley reported no new cases of COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours.

“The number of active cases is continuing to trend downward,” Wednesday’s report read.

As of Thursday evening, there had been 589 confirmed cases since March 22, 2020, including 526 cases since June 1.

Those include out-of-territory residents diagnosed in the Yukon and probable cases.

“Out-of-territory cases who are diagnosed in Yukon are counted in the territory’s active count but not in the Yukon case count as they are counted in their home jurisdiction.”

Four hundred thirty-eight people have recovered since June 1, data show.

Next Wednesday, a major relaxation in virus restrictions will kick in Yukon-wide, affecting the use of masks, self-isolation practices and expanded bar and restaurant seating capacities.

Several First Nations chiefs have expressed serious concerns with the government’s plan.

See letter.