COVID-19 Health Response Plan for Yukon Communities
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COVID-19 health response plan for Yukon communities April 21, 2020 Contents About the plan ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Yukon’s health emergency response to COVID-19 ................................................................................................... 3 Contacts ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 About COVID-19 .................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Health care access ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Assessment ............................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Testing ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Self-isolation.........................................................................................................................................................................10 Mental health support .......................................................................................................................................................12 Communication....................................................................................................................................................................14 CMOH health orders and recommendations ..............................................................................................................15 COVID-19 health response plan for Yukon communities 2/17 About the plan The COVID-19 health response plan for Yukon communities provides basic information about the COVID-19 virus as well as key information on processes, contacts and supports available in the communities and Whitehorse. A coordinated and consistent plan ensures the Government of Yukon, municipal governments and Yukon First Nation governments are all working together to actively manage the consequences associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The content in this plan is focused on Yukon’s health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It does not go into detail about enforcement of orders under the Civil Emergency Measures Act, or the economic supports available to individuals and businesses. Please be aware that this is the most current information. The situation is changing constantly and what we shared today may not be accurate tomorrow. We encourage everyone to refer to Yukon.ca regularly. Yukon’s health emergency response to COVID-19 In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the Government of Yukon has activated the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) under the Yukon Government Pandemic Coordination Plan. Through the HEOC, the Department of Health and Social Services, with the expert advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is responsible for coordinating and leading the government’s health response to the pandemic. This involves providing information to the public, care and treatment advice to health care providers, and the coordination and management of health resources. The HEOC coordinates and communicates with Yukon's Emergency Coordination Centre, as well as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). By working together with the broader emergency management structures as well as with Yukon First Nations, municipalities, government agencies and the private sector, the HEOC is striving to deliver a unified and coordinated Yukon-wide response to the pandemic. HEOC strategic objectives Limit human to human transmission Identify, isolate and care for patients early Coordinate response and preparedness Communicate critical risk and event information COVID-19 health response plan for Yukon communities 3/17 HEOC activities Organize the planning, response, and recovery activities for the health response to the pandemic based on the recommended direction of Yukon's Chief Medical Officer of Health; Manage health specific media and public information issues in coordination with the Department of Health and Social Services; Coordinate the work of the Emergency Support Services team and the operations of the Respiratory Assessment Centre and Self Isolation Facilities; Work with other health agencies including Yukon Hospital Corporation on the acquisition and deployment of health resources, such as personal protective equipment (PPE); Monitor and actively manage event situational awareness, timely reporting, and documentation; Develop and execute communications strategies and tactics to target specific audiences (e.g., youth and young adults), and events or time periods of high risk or high public awareness. Contacts General questions and support For general questions and support with self-isolation. Email: [email protected] Enforcement For questions about Yukon border control and enforcement or reporting a possible infraction of the Civil Emergency Measures Act. Email: [email protected] Economic supports For questions about relief for businesses. Email: [email protected] Phone: 867-456-3803; Toll free in Yukon: 1-800-661-0408 extension 3803. Mining For questions related to mining operations. Email: [email protected] School-specific information For questions about school plans, phone or email your school. COVID-19 health response plan for Yukon communities 4/17 School contact information: https://yukon.ca/en/education-and-schools/kindergarten-grade- 12/directory Yukon Housing Corporation For questions about social housing. Email: [email protected] Phone: 867-667-5759; Phone toll-free: 1-800-661-0408 extension 5759 Yukon Hospital Corporation For COVID-19 questions specifically related to Yukon Hospitals. Phone: 867-393-9040 This line is not for medical advice or emergencies. If someone needs medical advice or has a health concerns, they should call 811. If they're experiencing an emergency, they should call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Community health care centres See Health care centre contacts on page 6. About COVID-19 COVID-19 or coronavirus is a virus that causes respiratory illness in people. It is a new strain of virus that has not been previously identified in humans. Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms or experience a severe illness. You may not know you have COVID-19 because symptoms are similar to a cold or flu. Symptoms have included: cough fever difficulty breathing pneumonia in both lungs In severe cases, infection can lead to death. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19. This is the longest known incubation period for this disease. Recent evidence indicates that the virus can be transmitted to others from someone who is infected but not showing symptoms. This includes people who: have not yet developed symptoms (pre-symptomatic) never develop symptoms (asymptomatic) COVID-19 health response plan for Yukon communities 5/17 While experts know that these kinds of transmissions are happening among those in close contact or in close physical settings, it is not known to what extent. Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19. Information from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Date modified: 2020-04-09 Risk factors and severity of COVID-19 illness Like other viruses, such as influenza, a COVID-19 infection in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe, and possibly death. People who have compromised immune systems, underlying medical conditions and/or are over 65 years old are at an increased risk of more severe outcomes. Globally, most individuals with COVID-19 have not required hospitalization and have recovered at home. If someone tests positive, these are three possible scenarios for the severity of their illness. Mild Severe Critical Around 80% of people who Around 14% of people will Around 6% of people will be test positive for COVID-19 will have severe symptoms and will critical and will need to be have mild symptoms and can need to access acute care. admitted into intensive care remain at home. Their progress Depending on their symptoms either in Whitehorse or will be followed by a nurse and the local capacity they may transferred to Alberta or British from the community health be cared for at the community Columbia. Approximately 3.5% centre or Yukon Communicable health centre, a Yukon hospital of people in Canada are dying Disease Control in Whitehorse. or transferred to Alberta or from complications caused by British Columbia. COVID-19. COVID-19 health response plan for Yukon communities 6/17 Health care access The role of the community health centre during the pandemic The health centre staff are there to continue to serve the health needs of the community and are working to ensure that the health centre remains a safe place for people to come and seek care. Measures to help reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the health centre include: Signage asking those with symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath to stop and call ahead to the health centre so that arrangements can be made to provide