Yukon COVID-19 update: Test results coming faster, hospital suspends non-urgent surgeries

Yukon health officials said Friday there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Yukon, but they announced new measures to prepare and respond to the pandemic.

"We know that the first case of COVID-19 in the territory is only a matter of time," said Health Minister Pauline Frost.

Frost, along with Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley provided a briefing on the territory's response to the pandemic Friday. On Wednesday, officials declared a public health emergency in Yukon. 

Hanley said Friday that COVID-19 test results are starting to come back more quickly to Yukon, after an initial backlog at the lab in B.C. Still, he said results are expected to take three to five days.

"We have now a much faster process in place," Hanley said. "This week we've had results in 48 hours, but it's always going to be variable."

Officials on Friday also announced that the Whitehorse hospital will suspend all scheduled non-urgent surgeries starting on Monday. Urgent and emergency surgical care will continue.

"It's really to try to limit the flow of people into the hospital, in line with other social distancing measures," Hanley said.

On Thursday, the government announced it would set up a respiratory assessment centre at the Yukon Convention Centre in Whitehorse, in response to concerns about COVID-19. Frost said Friday it would open sometime "in the coming days."

Frost also said Friday that the Coast High Country in Whitehorse will be used as an isolation centre "when needed."

"This space will be used for individuals returning to Yukon who have to self-isolate and are unable to return home because their home situation does not allow for proper isolation," Frost said.

Officials also announced Friday that daycare centres would remain open, as they are considered an essential service. Daycare operators have been briefed on safe social distancing measures, the government has said.

Hanley also said that despite the emergency measures — which have been evolving daily if not hourly — life must go on. 

"We are not in lockdown. Society needs to function as well as possible under these new measures," he said.

"This is a time of adaptation and preparation, but not of shutting down."