The Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse have been cancelled over coronavirus concerns.

According to a news release issued Saturday afternoon, the decision was based on a recommendation from YukonSA国际影视传媒檚 chief medical officer.

SA国际影视传媒淚t has been determined that cancelling the 2020 AWG is the most responsible precautionary measure,SA国际影视传媒� states the news release from Whitehorse 2020 Arctic Winter Games officials.

SA国际影视传媒淭his decision is a direct result of concerns around the spread of COVID-19 and is supported by the Arctic Winter Games International Committee.SA国际影视传媒�

Despite the cancellation, the release says the risk for COVID-19 in Yukon SA国际影视传媒渞emains low.SA国际影视传媒�

There are currently no reported cases in the territory.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is with a heavy heart that I have had to make this recommendation,SA国际影视传媒� said YukonSA国际影视传媒檚 Chief Medical Officer of Health Catherine Elliott during a 4 p.m. news conference. 

SA国际影视传媒淲e are disappointed.SA国际影视传媒� 

Breaking down in tears, an emotional Elliott said the SA国际影视传媒渄ifficultSA国际影视传媒� decision to cancel the games was made out of an SA国际影视传媒渁bundance of caution.SA国际影视传媒� 

https://www.facebook.com/2020awg/videos/1360801380776207/

Reported COVID-19 cases, originating in China late last year,  have soared in recent weeks. Governments and health officials across the globe are scrambling to contain - and understand - the respiratory disease, which continues to spread rapidly worldwide. 

The rapid and SA国际影视传媒渟urprisingSA国际影视传媒� transmission of COVID-19 in recent days ultimately prompted the health authoritySA国际影视传媒檚 recommendation, said Elliott. 

The Arctic Winter Games, a huge draw to the North for international competitors - which was set to run from March 15 to March 20 - would have seen athletes living and sleeping in close quarters, said Elliott , a risk factor that contributed to her recommendation to cancel the event. 

"In a setting like the Arctic Winter Games, even a suspected case would be devastating," stated Elliott.

"It is the responsible recommendation, and it is very unfortunate," she added.

Elliott, citing estimates about the SA国际影视传媒渆merging and novelSA国际影视传媒� virus, said everyone is susceptible to COVID-19, but that older people, and individuals with underlying medical issues, stand to be impacted more. 

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver said the decision to cancel the games was in a precautionary measure made in the SA国际影视传媒渂est interest of our athletes SA国际影视传媒� families and communities across the circumpolar North.SA国际影视传媒� 

SA国际影视传媒淚t was a tough decision, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 for sure,SA国际影视传媒� said a noticeably emotional Silver.  

SA国际影视传媒淲e support the difficult but responsible decision to cancel the Games. Our community really stepped up for this event and I want to thank the nearly 2000 volunteers for their efforts and preparation for these Games," stated Silver in a subsequent news release. 

George Arcand, 2020 AWG Host Society president, said the move to cancel the games, supported by Arctic Winter Games International Committee, was the "responsible" course of action.

"We will be meeting with the Host SocietySA国际影视传媒檚 Board of Management, our funding partners and stakeholders over the coming days to build a plan for decommissioning the Games," said Arcand.

As of today, 57 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Canada, according to country's public health agency.

Worldwide, 106,065 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, with 3,598 reported deaths, says the World Health Organization.

More to come.