Yukon will 'wait and see' on COVID Alert app, says top doctor

Yukon's chief medical officer has no immediate plans toadopt thefederal COVIDAlert app,saying they want to "wait and see" how it rolls out in other regions.

However, Yukoners can still download the app, said Dr. Brendan Hanley,and it might be useful when travelling.

"With our ongoing low COVID[-19] activity, we don't need to be in a rush to decide," Hanleysaid at his weekly update on Wednesday.

The COVID Alert apptracks the locations of phones relative to other phones, and notifies users if they have been close to another app user who has tested positive for COVID-19. The app does notshare names or health information, and relies on people voluntarily uploading a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

But Hanley said the appdoes not distinguish between "high risk and low risk" contacts. For example, passing someone inthe grocery store isn't the same risk as having a long conversation at a bar, he said.

The appcould add unnecessary demand to COVID-19 testing, trackingand public health work, said Hanley.Hesaid the app could potentially lead manylow-risk people to unnecessarily self-monitor or isolate.

However, "There's nothing to stop you downloading it," Hanley said.

"If you're travelling outside Yukon, it might just come in handy."

At least sixregions across Canada are now using the app. British Columbia and the other territories have not yet signed on.

According to data provided by Health Canada, COVID Alert has been downloaded more than 3.4 million timessince it was launchedJuly 31.

Yukon will get 10 rapid, portable COVID-19testing devices

Meanwhile, Yukon expects to get ten rapid, portable molecular COVID-19 testing devices by early 2021.

Health Canada approved the ID NOW test, which can provide results within 15 minutes, last week.Hanleysaid the portable, easy-to-usemachines will be particularly useful for rural and remote areas. While accurate, he said, the current testing method will remain the "gold standard."

Yukon getting $12.4 million for healthcare, shelters

Also at the update, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver said the territoryis getting an extra $12.4 million from Ottawa,whichwill go in part to shelters, housing, addictions treatment, hospitals,mental health supportsand long-term care.

The money will provide$7.7 million for healthcare, he said, and $4.7 million to support "vulnerable populations."

Silver said shelters in both Whitehorse and the communities will get part of thefunding.

The money is from a separate northern agreement as part of the federal government's Safe Restart funding, which now sits at around $26 million for the Yukon.