'Probable' COVID-19 case in Yukon was false alarm

Yukon's chief medicalofficer says a "probable"COVID-19 case announced Saturday turned out to notactually be an active case.

The personhad tested positive in Whitehorse using alocal GeneXpert rapid test, but a second test sent toa B.C. labfor validation foundthe person was actually negative.

"The test results left us puzzled for some time," said Yukon Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brendan Hanley. Afterre-testing in B.C., Hanley said itwas confirmed as "not a case."

Hanley saidthe person did not have an active COVID-19 infection and did not introduce infection to the Yukon. Some contacts of the person were tested after the initial test, and everyone was negative.

Yukon will still use rapid test

Hanley said the rapid test used in Yukoncan pick up extremely low amounts of virus, which could either indicate a past COVID-19 infection or be confused with other viruses.

"Every technology has its limitations," he said.

However, Hanley said Yukonwill continue to use the GeneXpertrapid COVID test. He saidthe rapid testwould be "an extremely useful tool" should there be an outbreak.Yukon tests require validation in B.C.

"This is part of the learning process," he said.

Yukon has now seen15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, and allof the infected people arerecovered. A non-resident recently tested positive in late September and was hospitalized in Whitehorse.

"Please remember that you always have to be acting as if COVID might be around," said Hanleyon Wednesday.

Premier Sandy Silver said the most recent case, as well as rising case numbers in other parts of Canada,is a reminder that Yukon is "not out of the woods."

He urged people to seek out accurate information on the government's COVID-19 web page.

"Rumours travel quickly and can cause unnecessary panic," said Silver.