The chief medical health officer in the Yukon is reporting the territory’s first death from COVID-19.
According to a release from Dr. Brendan Hanley, an “older” person with underlying conditions died in Watson Lake.
“The person passed away at home on October 29 while they were in self-isolation,” said Hanley in the statement. “A Coroner’s investigation has concluded that their death was caused by COVID-19 infection.
“The person who has died was older and had underlying medical conditions. The level of COVID-19 risk to residents of Watson Lake and other Yukoners has not changed as a result of this death.”
On Monday, Hanley announced that there were five new cases of COVID-19 in the Watson Lake area, bringing the territory’s total number of cases to 22.
The community is home to approximately 1,400 citizens from Liard First Nation (LFN), who live in or around the area which is near the border with British Columbia.
LFN is one of four Kaska Nations.
