(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - A new positive COVID19 traveler case announced Monday brought Ketchikan's traveler total to 7. This individual arrived in Ketchikan on Saturday - June 13th, was administered a COVID-19 test at the local traveler testing site, and was instructed by the test collector to quarantine until receiving test results.  The individual was informed of the positive test result Tuesday - June 17th.

The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) announced today that this individual did not quarantine as instructed, but instead attended several social gatherings and public places in Ketchikan on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before being notified of the positive result on Tuesday. The social gatherings and public places this individual attended were also attended by many of Ketchikan’s youth, families, and citizens.

There can be legal consequences for any individual who does not comply with a health mandate.  The Ketchikan Police Department is aware of this situation and is conducting an investigation of the matter.  But the biggest consequence for non-compliance is a widespread outbreak of this virus in the Ketchikan community. 

The name of the individual who did not follow the health mandate to quarantine is not being released because of medical records privacy, nor has the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) chosen to identify any of the events this individual attended which possibly exposed others in the community to the virus.

The Ketchikan EOC at this time is urging citizens to consider the social gatherings that you’ve participated in since Saturday June 13th.  Quoting the EOC, if you think you may have attended an event or gathering where social distancing was not being followed or where individuals who recently traveled were in attendance, "please consider self-quarantining for a period of 14 days".

Parents are urged to question their teenagers about their social interactions and consider imposing a quarantine if there is reason to be concerned about a potential close or secondary contact to this positive case.

Citizens are urged to consider the social gatherings that they’ve participated in since Saturday June 13th.  If you think you may have attended an event or gathering where social distancing was not being followed or where individuals who recently traveled were in attendance, please consider self-quarantining for a period of 14 days.

As soon as the positive test result was received by the health care provider, the individual was notified of the positive result and was directed to isolate. A Public Health nurse contacted the individual and began the contact investigation. The individual will be monitored daily by Public Health until released from isolation.

The City of Ketchikan has announced that out of an abundance of caution due to close and secondary contacts to the positive case, many departments have been affected. The following actions are being taken in order to break the chain of potential spread of COVID-19 in the community:

• KPU Customer Service in the Plaza will be closed for a minimum of two weeks.
  
  
• Multiple City department heads and employees are self-quarantining and working from home.

The EOC reminds Ketchikan's citizens that personal responsibility is paramount during this pandemic. "One person’s actions have an impact on the entire community. The Alaska health mandates are put in place to help everyone stay healthy and if they are not followed, our community cannot stay healthy."  

Quoting an EOC news release, it is absolutely imperative for our citizens to follow the directives of Alaska Health Mandate 10.1 (Interstate and International Travel), which requires that all persons entering Alaska from another state or country must:

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms, such as a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice or use the Testing Hotline and call 247-TEST (8378). The EOC Drive-Up COVID-19 Testing Clinic will be open each Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am to 1 pm at Berth 3. 

Social media sites are buzzing with community members expressing their concerns. Various posts identity of the individual as a teenager. On FaceBook member stated "teenage ADULT over the age of 18 that came back to Ketchikan .... did not quarantine after tested....went to parties with tons of other kids...and then found out he was positive... " (Note: Subscription/membership required to read or view social media sites.)

Ketchikan Little League Baseball and Softball issued a notice on FaceBood today saying,

"Dear Ketchikan Little League Members,

The safety and well-being of all of our participants is always our paramount concern, and now, more than ever.

We recently learned that players in our Senior Softball, Senior Baseball and a Minors Baseball coaching staff were in contact with a positive COVID-19 case.

In an abundance of caution, Ketchikan Little League has decided to temporary suspend Seniors Baseball, Seniors Softball and Majors Softball (due to second level contact).  
There will be no practices or games in these divisions for up to 14 days from the date of the contact (i.e. through June 28th). 

The two Minors Baseball coaching staff did not have contact with their team and will have no contact with their team for 14 days.  
At this point, NO KLL PLAYERS OR COACHES HAVE TESTED POSITIVE. Although not required in our mitigation plan, we are temporarily suspending these divisions. 

Even though NO Ketchikan Little League players or coaches have tested positive, we strongly urge all players and coaches to continue to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and if you think you have been exposed, quarantine per current State mandates. 

We also urge you to follow the recommendations of the Alaska State Health Department, (found here) and the recommendations of the CDC (found here)

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and compassion as we continue to monitor this situation in cooperation with our local Emergency Operations Center.

Sincerely,
Ketchikan Little League Board"

On the Web:

Alaska Health Mandate 10.1 (International and Interstate Travel)
 https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/  

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
www.covid19.alaska.gov. 

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

 

Source of News:

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

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