SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

Alaska COVID-19 Cases To Date 114 ; Third Alaska Death Reported

Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN

 

March 29, 2020
Sunday PM


(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Sunday announced 12 new cases of COVID-19 in six Alaska communities – Anchorage (4), Eagle River (1), Fairbanks (4), North Pole (1), Juneau (1) and Ketchikan (1). Total case count as of Sunday evening is 114. Total case count to date in Ketchikan is 13.

As of Sunday, of the 13 Ketchikan positive cases, 2 are travel-related, 1 is non-travel related and 10 are close contact related according to the Alaska Department of Health.

United States Census 2020 (Alaska Dept of Labor)

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DHSS also reported Sunday evening the third death of an Alaskan from COVID-19. The individual was a 73-year-old Anchorage resident. The patient was tested on March 23, 2020 and admitted to an Anchorage hospital and passed away on Saturday evening , March 28, 2020. 

Five of Sunday's new Alaska cases are older adults (60+); two are adults aged 30-59; four are younger adults aged 19-29 and one is under 18.  Six are female and six are male. Six of the cases are close contacts of previously diagnosed cases; one is travel-related and five are still under investigation. 

So far the communities in Alaska that have had laboratory-confirmed cases include Anchorage (including JBER), Eagle River/Chugiak, Girdwood, Fairbanks, North Pole, Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Palmer, Seward, Soldotna and Sterling.

And on Saturday evening, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced 17 new positive cases of COVID-19 in six Alaska communities – Anchorage (10), Eagle River (1), Fairbanks (3), North Pole (1), Homer (1) and Soldotna (1).

Ten of Saturday's cases are still under investigation. Two cases are known to be travel-related and five are close contacts of previously diagnosed individuals. Five patients are older adults (aged 60+), nine are adults aged 30-59, two are young adults aged 19-29 and one is a child. Seven are male and 10 are female.

In Fairbanks, one of the new positive cases reported Saturday is a resident of a long-term care facility. Foundation Health Partners issued a press release Saturday describing the steps the facility is taking in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology. 

“The facility is doing an excellent job of responding swiftly to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Alaska’s State Epidemiologist. “They are working closely with our epidemiologists to determine which residents and staff are at highest risk for exposure and implementing control measures that are consistent with national guidelines.” 

“Together with experts at the CDC, the state has developed and published guidelines for long-term care providers for this this type of situation,” said John Lee, Director of the DHSS Division of Senior and Disabilities Services. “We know how serious COVID-19 infections can be, particularly among older adults. We continue to work with this facility and all providers across the state in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.”

Regarding the new Ketchikan case, this individual does not have a history of recent travel. Upon becoming symptomatic, this individual was placed into self-quarantine, and was tested for COVID-19 through the Creekside Clinic. Public Health will continue its contact investigation with this individual to determine whether this Ketchikan case is related to close contact to a prior case. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. 

As is usual, following the positive test results, Ketchikan Public Health officials contacted this individual and will continue to monitor their condition to ensure continued self-isolation. Public Health officials are conducting a contact investigation and reach out to any person who may have come into contact with this individual. Public Health will notify and isolate additional persons as appropriate. Through the contact investigation, Public Health will direct testing of persons that meet criteria based on contact with any confirmed case of COVID-19. Individuals who meet the criteria are being tested in accordance with CDC and State of Alaska priorities.

In accordance with Governor Dunleavy’s Health Mandate #11 and in order to stop the spread of COVID-19, effective at 5:00 yesterday (March 28, 2020), all persons in Alaska, except for those engaged in essential services and essential business activities, are mandated to remain at their place of residence and practice social distancing. Social distancing is defined as maintaining a distance of six feet or greater from any individuals with whom you do not currently reside. 

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

For folks who have questioned as to why the names of individuals with positive cases are not identified in news reports, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects the privacy of medical records.

Information on COVID-19, including the Governor’s Alerts & Health Mandates, is available through the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) at  www.coronavirus.alaska.gov

Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) information and the response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Ketchikan is updated daily on the COVID-19 Response page at https://www.kgbak.us/913/COVID-19-Response.

 

 

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Health & Social Services
www.dhss.alaska.gov
www.coronavirus.alaska.gov

Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
https://www.kgbak.us/913/COVID-19-Respons

 

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