The territory’s New Democrats have detected impediments to the COVID-19 vaccination system that they want removed.

“Many public health experts are predicting another wave of COVID-19 this fall and surging case numbers over the winter as people head back indoors,” Whitehorse Centre MLA Emily Tredger said during question period Monday.

“This government, though, appears to have given up on public health measures to protect Yukoners from the virus.

“Vaccination rates have stalled. Only 55 per cent of Yukoners have received three doses or more, and less than 10 per cent of children under five have had their first shot.”

According to yukon.ca, Tredger noted, “access to booster shots remains by appointment only – and kids under 12 can’t get an appointment until at least November 17.

“Will the minister commit to streamlining the booster shot campaign and reducing the barriers to vaccination?”

Tracey-Anne McPhee, the minister of Health and Social Services, responded, “Public health measures continue with respect to providing service and safety for Yukoners. I can indicate that I do disagree with much of what has been said in this question.

“It is clearly a fact — and Yukoners know this — that they have risen to the challenge of vaccines here in the territory,” McPhee said.

“We have had an amazing response to vaccines and the availability of vaccines across the territory to communities delivered throughout the Yukon Territory, sometimes by just amazing fly-in teams to make sure that our most remote communities were well protected with respect to vaccines.”

Whitehorse is one of the few large communities in Canada where waste-water testing for COVID-19 is not conducted.

Last April, Tredger recalled, McPhee told the legislature that waste-water testing “‘may become a useful surveillance tool here in the territory in future.’

“That was more than six months ago. While the government has taken time to figure things out, others are stepping up and filling the void,” Tredger said.

The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and the Village of Haines Junction have implemented their own waste-water surveillance program, she reminded McPhee.

“Their data show rising viral load. What little public data we have for the Yukon show the test positivity rate rising sharply last week.”

Tredger called waste-water testing “a solution that works in other northern communities. It would allow this government and all Yukoners to make decisions based on information, not guesses.

“Why hasn’t this government implemented waste-water testing for COVID-19?

McPhee said the government will “take our public health guidance from our chief medical officer of health.

“We have in our territory a new chief medical officer of health, Dr. (Sudit) Ranade, who is working with his team with respect to new methods, a new perspective, a new vision for the territory.

“We are working forward with his guidance and the guidance of his team.”

McPhee called waste-water testing “one of the opportunities that is being considered, but what Yukoners should know is that waste-water testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to evolve.

“It could become a useful tool. It is not currently being used here in the territory.”

She said the government is closely watching the waste-water testing pilot project in Haines Junction.

“We continue to work with our partners, including Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, First Nations, and municipal governments to explore whether or not that’s an option that is supported by those communities,” the minister told the House.

Last June, Tredger recalled, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced it would stop distributing rapid tests for COVID-19 to the provinces and territories.

“In the absence of available PCR testing, many Yukoners still rely heavily on rapid tests to make decisions,” she pointed out.

“Should they go to work today with a runny nose because they can’t afford to stay home again? Should they send their kids to their first birthday party in two years?

“These are the kinds of questions that many Yukoners are struggling with,” Tredger said.

“Without access to affordable rapid tests, many Yukoners will be left to guess.”

She asked McPhee how many rapid tests the Yukon has left, and whether the minister will continue to supply them free of charge beyond 2022.

The message for Yukoners, McPhee said, is that “they are spreading it to their friends and family throughout their communities — is that, if you are unwell, you should remain away from your workplace or away from school.

“You should remain at home until you are feeling well again,” McPhee added.

“The truth of this situation is that we have learned that going to work with symptoms of illness is not helping any of our community.”

Since March 2020, the minister added, the territory has provided lab-based PCR tests — at that time — to symptomatic patients.

“With the arrival of new rapid-testing resources, we have shifted lab-based PCR testing resources to focus on populations with the highest risk of negative impacts.

“At-home rapid tests are readily available for Yukoners throughout the territory in pharmacies, local businesses, and community health centres.”

They are free of charge and will remain available, McPhee added.