People in Watson Lake should wear masks in indoor public spaces, Dr. Catherine Elliott, the acting chief medical officer of health, says in what’s being described as a “strong recommendation”.

She is also recommending those at risk of severe disease keep their contacts to a minimum, including those over the age of 65 and those with chronic health conditions.

This recommendation is for anyone while they are in Watson Lake, regardless of their home community, says a public advisory issued by Elliott on Friday afternoon.

People from Watson Lake can safely travel throughout the territory by following the public health recommendations where they travel.

All Yukoners with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and get tested when sick; they should also get their vaccine.

Her recommendations came following the identification of seven new cases in Watson Lake between last Thursday and Friday, bringing that community’s total active case number to 25 as of Friday.

The total active case count for the Yukon was at 42 as of Friday.

She reported a total of nine new cases in the Yukon since noon last Wednesday to noon Friday.

Pat Living, communication officer with the Department of Health and Social Services, said today there were six additional cases confirmed over the weekend and two probable cases.

Paul McSadyen, a superintendent with the Department of Education, told the Star this morning there were four cases at the Johnson Elementary School, of which one case was in Grade 1, two cases in Grade 4 and one in Grade 5.

There was also one case in Grade 10 at Watson Lake Secondary School, he said.

McSadyen said the infected students are self-isolating at home.

There are guidelines for physical distancing, masking and field trips, he said.

The superintendent said every school has a communicable disease operational plan.

The schools have taken measures to ensure the students remain connected with their classes by ensuring they have the material needed to work from home, McSadyen said.

He explained students are not required to wear masks in the classroom nor when outside, but they must be masked while they are in public spaces outside the classroom in hallways and such.

Watson Lake cases have been identified in the elementary and high schools, family clusters and adults in the community. When there are a number of unlinked situations such as in Watson Lake, it indicates that there is transmission in the community, Elliott said.

Fewer than 75 per cent of those eligible in southeast Yukon have been fully vaccinated; therefore, ongoing sustained transmission is possible in the absence of these measures.

A rapid response testing team is in Watson Lake today holding testing clinics through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. People who tested negative prior to Sept. 17 are being asked to get re-tested while the team is in the community this week.

Vaccine clinics will also be held at the Watson Lake Health Centre on Oct. 1, 8 and 15 from noon to 3 p.m.

Elliott said she is concerned about the rising number of cases in Watson Lake and the potential for spread given the population vaccination rate.

“Now is the time for everybody to pull together and take the necessary steps to keep each other safe,” she said in her advisory.

“This includes masking in indoor public spaces, practising the Safe 6 and, for those who are eligible, getting your vaccine. The best way to protect seniors, elders and children is to get your vaccine.

“Your vaccine protects you. Your vaccine protects your community.”

She has also issued the following public exposure notice:

• Air North flight (4N510), Sept. 21,Vancouver to Whitehorse, departing at 9:25 a.m., arriving at 11:50 a.m.

“This is considered a low-risk exposure and everyone on this flight is asked to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days, until Tuesday, Oct. 5 and to arrange for testing if they develop any symptoms,” the advisory says.

Elliott is also advising Yukoners who travel Outside to be cautious when visiting areas that are currently experiencing a fourth wave of COVID-19.

Travellers are advised to practise the Safe 6 while travelling and follow the directives within the jurisdiction they are visiting.

This recommendation is based on a series of cases in people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 after returning to the Yukon from domestic travel.

“These travellers have fortunately had only mild symptoms but we can link their illness to travel,” Elliott said.

“We all know how easy it is to throw off the basics of the Safe 6 when fully vaccinated.

“Vaccine, plus the Safe 6 – washing hands, avoiding crowds or masking in crowds – will be the actions that continue to protect Yukoners when travelling.”

British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan are among those provinces experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Anyone experiencing symptoms in Whitehorse should call the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre at 393-3083 or book online to arrange for testing.

People in communities should contact their rural community health centre to arrange for testing.

– With a file from Chuck Tobin