(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) received information today from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) that there have been three new positive test results for COVID-19 in Ketchikan. This brings the total of positive cases in Ketchikan to six (6). 

These three individuals, upon experiencing symptoms of illness, self-isolated and sought testing by a local provider. Two of today's posiitve cases were close contacts to the first identified positive case in Ketchikan, a borough employee. One of today's individuals was a close contact with the second identified positive case. The second identified case in Ketchikan was in close contact with the first Ketchikan case and the third case was identified as an employee of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough working at the White Cliff Building.

Ketchikan Public Health officials have contacted these individuals and will continue to monitor their condition to ensure continued self-isolation. Public Health officials will initiate a contact investigation and reach out to any person who may have come into contact with these individuals. 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.

Joint Ketchikan-Saxman Mayoral Proclamation Under State of Emergency to Shelter in Place

Because the COVID-19 virus is so highly contagious, it has already spread rapidly in Ketchikan. In the last few days Ketchikan has gone from one positive case to six positive cases. This rapid spread is known as exponential growth. Quoting a news release from the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC), if the growth continues at the current rate, by the end of the week Ketchikan could have over 20 positive cases of COVID-19 in the community.  The spread needs to stop now.

Ketchikan Emergency Manager Abner Hoage stated in a public release, "As more people get tested we will see that number continue to grow.  This is not unexpected, but if we don’t take action now to stop the spread, the number of cases will grow exponentially and within about a week 6 cases could become 26, in another week 26 cases could become 130, and by the third week the 130 cases could become 650, and so on."

Due to the exponential spread of the COVID-19 virus in Ketchikan, and in accordance with the recommendations of the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the mayors of the City of Ketchikan, City of Saxman, and Ketchikan Gateway Borough have issued a joint proclamation strongly urging the citizens of Ketchikan to hunker down, shelter in place, and stay home, in order to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In keeping with the mandates issued by Alaska Governor Michael Dunleavy on March 21, 2020, Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reminds citizens to practice social distancing and that no gatherings of more than 10 people may take place, and if a gathering does take place people must be 6 feet apart from each other.

Owners of businesses which are non-essential, to the extent possible, are urged to close for a period of at least 14 days. 

Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) assures the public that vital services such as emergency, fire, police, and grocery stores will remain fully functioning and open and available. The flow of goods to Ketchikan is continuing and grocery store shelves will remain stocked. 

New Confirmed Cases Today Statewide:

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services today announced seven new cases of COVID-19 in five Alaska communities – Anchorage (1), Fairbanks (1), Ketchikan (3), Sterling (1) and Soldotna (1).

The Soldotna and the Anchorage cases were both travel-related with travel to the Lower 48. All of the other cases were non-travel related and are currently being investigated. All cases were in adults; none were hospitalized.

“All of the new cases are isolating themselves at home and their close contacts are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms,” said Alaska’s State Epidemiologist, Dr. Joe McLaughlin. “Our thoughts go out to these people, their families and their communities. All of these individuals are being conscientious and cooperating fully with public health officials.”

McLaughlin added, “The biggest challenge in our containment effort is when people continue to interact with others when they have symptoms.  I can’t underscore this point enough: If you feel even mild symptoms of a respiratory infection, you need to immediately go home and stay away from others until your symptoms resolve.” 

“It is vital that every person is doing as much as possible to slow the spread of this disease,” added Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink. “Social distancing is critical. Stay home as much as you can and, even if you’re healthy, stay away from those more vulnerable to severe illness, including those 60 or older, or anyone who might have an underlying medical condition.”

Quoting the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) news release, residents who are healthy and do not believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 may shop at grocery stores, but are asked to do without lingering.  If you go out, practice health directives such as handwashing and social distancing by staying six feet away from others. Please help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Ketchikan.  Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) encourages citizens to follow these CDC recommendations:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often; 
• Avoid touching your nose, face and mouth; 
•  Use sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol; 
•  Avoid people who are sick to help protect yourself;
• To protect others, stay home if you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces, and remember that you could be asymptomatic but still carrying the virus.

If you are sick or suspect that you may be infected with the COVID-19 virus, you should take steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. 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. 

On the Web

Alaska COVID-19 Information
www.coronavirus.alaska.gov. 

Alaska COVID-19 Daily Updates: Case Counts
http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/monitoring.aspx

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

Source of News:

Ketchikan EOC
https://www.kgbak.us/913/COVID-19-Response

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

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