(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - In the past week, the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has seen an increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 in Ketchikan. According to the EOC, four of those ten cases were determined to be community transmission – or community spread. This means that at least four individuals have contracted the virus from an unknown source. This also means there is a greater risk of additional positive cases of COVID-19 that have not yet been identified. 

Thursday, with the increase in COVID-19 positive cases, the community risk level was raised from LOW to MODERATE. The community risk level was reduced to LEVEL 1 - LOW on January 20th and by January 28th was raised to LEVEL 2 - MODERATE due to the recent increase in positive cases. (Current Risk Level)

Six of the ten recent positive cases as of Friday have identified being at one or more of the following businesses on one or more days between January 20 through January 28:

• Arctic Bar
• Asylum Bar
• 49er Bar and Liquor Store
• Moose Lodge #224
• Totem Bar 

If you visited any of these establishments during the period of January 20 – January 28, Ketchikan Public Health and the EOC STRONGLY recommend that you do the following:

1. Self-quarantine for a period of 14 days since your last visit to the business.
   
   
2. If you are asymptomatic, you can reduce the quarantine period in item 1 by:
1. Getting tested for COVID-19 on day 6 or 7 after your last visit to the business, and self-quarantine until you receive a negative result. 
2. If you receive a negative result and continue to be asymptomatic you can resume normal activities on day 8.  
3. If your result is positive, continue to isolate and follow the advice of Public Health. 
   
   
3. If at any time you become symptomatic you should seek testing for COVID-19 immediately:
1. If you receive a negative result continue to quarantine for at least 14 days and until you are fever free for 72 hours without the use of medication.
2. If you receive a positive test continue to isolate and follow advice of Public Health
   
   
4. If you need guidance or have questions about self-quarantine, isolation, or when to test; call Public Health at 225-4350.

As of Thursday, Ketchikan positive cases brings the total cumulative Covid-19 case count, including travelers, to 309. The number of positive cases of individuals residing or staying in Ketchikan is 292. Of the 292 cases, there are 13 active, 1 death, and 278 recovered.

To accommodate the expected need for testing, the Berth 3 Drive-Up Testing Clinic will be available for free testing, including Sunday and Monday, for anyone who believes they may be a close contact to a known positive, or who visited one of the businesses listed above. The hours of the Berth 3 Drive-Up Clinic are: 

• 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. AND
• 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. 

In light of these recent events, and the anticipated need for testing, the Berth 3 Drive-Up Testing Clinic will be available for free testing, including this Sunday and Monday, for anyone who believes they may be a close contact to a known positive, or who visited one of the businesses listed above.

Traveler Testing:

Effective Monday, February 1, 2021, the COVID-19 traveler testing site located at the Ketchikan International Airport will be operated by Capstone Clinic, an Alaskan company. Capstone Clinic has been operating the traveler testing at the Anchorage airport, and recently was awarded the contract for airport testing at Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan. Prior to February 1st, the operation has been a function of the Ketchikan EOC and contracted to Creekside Clinic of Ketchikan. 

Capstone will be operating inside the airport terminal building on the first floor. Hours of operation will be generally 8 am to 8 pm daily. There will be ample staff to meet each arriving flight. The operation itself will be consistent with the ongoing airport operation and will be comprised of greeters, screeners, and test collectors. 

Results for traveler tests are expected to be provided within a 48-72 hour turnaround time. The Covid Secure App will continue to be used for screening, testing, and results (through the Alaska Traveler Portal at https://www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com ). Positive and negative test results will be sent via the Covid Secure App with an email to the traveler. Public Health will follow up with a call to the positive person and will proceed with contact tracing. 

Vouchers for follow-up traveler tests can be used at the airport or at any participating clinic, including the Berth 3 drive-up testing clinic.  

Travelers with questions on airport traveler testing can direct questions to:

• Email:  info@covidsecureapp.com 
• Phone: 907-864-4642

On the Web:

Alaska Travel Orders and requirements
https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/

Response to COVID-19 in Ketchikan, including additional data regarding Ketchikan’s community risk
www.kgbak.us/covid19

Source of News:

Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
www.kgbak.us/covid19

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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