Yukon declares COVID-19 outbreak at another school, and offers booster shots for some seniors

Yukon health officials have declared a COVID-19 outbreak at another rural school — Ghùch Tiâ Community School in Carcross.

In a news release on Friday afternoon, Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott said the school's kindergarten and Grade 1/2/3 split classes have been affected. All students, teachers and staff are being directed to get tested even if they are vaccinated.

"Investigation into the transmission of recent cases in the community indicates a link to the classes at the school," the news release states.

"Students and staff were directed earlier this week to self-isolate but are now being directed to get tested."

Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) has contacted people in the affected classes, and has also contacted participants at two community events last week at the school — the Carcross Tagish First Nations Youth Night, and recreational judo. Both events happened last Wednesday, Sept. 22.

Officials announced earlier this week that there were confirmed cases at the Carcross school, as well as two schools in Watson Lake. An outbreak was earlier declared involving the Grade 4 class at Watson Lake's Johnson Elementary School.

In a statement, Elliott said the best way to protect children too young to be vaccinated is for the youth and adults around them to be vaccinated. She also urged anybody with symptoms to get tested.