First In-state Alaskan Death from COVID-19; Statewide Total 89 Confirmed Cases; Ketchikan Total 12Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN
March 28, 2020
This is the second Alaska death. The first Alaska resident to have died from COVID-19 was a resident of Southeast Alaska who died on March 16 at a health care facility in King County, Washington, after a prolonged stay there.
“Our hearts go out to the deceased's friends and family members,” said DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum. “We are also thinking of the health care providers who cared for this patient. We will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state, local and Tribal partners to effectively respond to this crisis.” The individual who died Friday was a 63-year-old person with underlying health conditions. The deceased was receiving treatment at an Anchorage hospital and had tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on March 25. “As we grieve this loss, we need to collectively resolve to do our part to prevent the spread of this virus,” said Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink. “This is an unfortunate reminder that COVID-19 is a life-threatening illness.” In addition to the announcement of the second Alaska death, DHSS announced 16 new positive cases in six Alaska communities – Anchorage (9), Girdwood (1), Fairbanks (3), North Pole (1), Juneau (1), and Ketchikan (1). This brings Alaska's total case count to 85. Nine of Friday's new cases are male; seven are female. Eight of the new cases are adults, seven are aged 19-29 and one is a child. Nine of the cases are close contacts of previously diagnosed cases, one is travel-related and six are still under investigation. As of Friday, 27 of the 89 cases were identified as travel related, 9 were non-travel related, and 30 were close contact related. There are 19 cases still depending identifcation by the DHSS as to exposure. The largest number of confirmed cases have been in the Anchorage area with the majority of those cases travel related. To date, 5 individuals with confirmed cases have been hospitalized and 2 Alaskans have died. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services on Thursday announced 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 in four Alaska communities – Anchorage (5), Fairbanks (2), North Pole (2), and Juneau (1). This brings Alaska’s total case count on Thursday to 69. The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) announced one new postive case on Thursday in Ketchikan bringing the total number of cases in Ketchikan to 12. According to a public release from the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC), this individual does not have a history of recent travel, and has been identified as having been in close contact to two (2) persons who were previously reported as testing positive to COVID-19. This individual was identified through the contact investigation by Public Health, was placed into self-quarantine, and was tested for COVID-19 at the direction of Public Health. 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 will initiate a contact investigation and reach out to any person who may have come into contact with this Ketchikan 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. Around Ketchikan: The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is coordinating with Peace Health and the State to establish a list of resources by late next week. Peace Health has surge capacity planning in place. With a current capacity for 9 moderate COVID-19 ill patients in an isolation unit, with ability to expand to approximately 50 additional beds for moderate COVID-19 patients. Additional plans exist to repurpose other areas of the hospital in order to add up the additional 35-41 beds. There are 16 respirators for respiratory therapy use as PeaceHealth. The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has seven ventilators and have requested 10 additional ventilators. The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) currently has 40 N95 masks, in addition to the inventory of the providers, and have ordered 6,000 additional N95 masks. The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has established a homeless shelter branch, and we are implementing plans for 24-hour services for both PATH and the day shelter/warming shelter. The shelters will be moving to the Gateway Recreation Center as soon as the final arrangements are in place. In addition, there are three facilities identified that have individual rooms available for quarantine and isolation areas. Those locations are the Landing, My Place, and the Inn at Creek Street. The Ketchikan EOC has looked into the option of a controlled quarantine facility. According to information provided by the EOC, there would be issues with expenses with congregate housing vs. non-congregate housing. A controlled non-congregate housing unit would have to be directed by Public Health. As an alternative, three hotels have offered rooms available to house people who either need to self-quarantine (identified as having a close-contact to someone who tested positive) or self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19. One hotel – the Inn at Creek Street – has offered special rates for anyone who needs a place to stay rather than going to their home. The Ketchikan International Airport is not currently set up for voluntary screening according to the EOC. According to information provided Friday, the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center was in the process of developing a location and staff for a voluntary screening similar to what Juneau had implemented. When Governor Dunleavy issued the travel mandate requiring all travelers arriving from out-of-state to self-quarantine for 14 days, the voluntary screening was no longer needed. The purpose of voluntary screening is to identify who needs to self-quarantine, which is now accomplished through the Governor’s mandate. The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continueS to urge citizens to hunker down, shelter in place, and stay home, in order to contain the spread of COVID-19. Parents are urged to keep your children home, do not schedule playdates, and avoid group gatherings in public areas. Local barge companies and are all continuing service. The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center says supply chains for normal commodities are working the way they should be, and are continuing. The shortages of commodities that some may be experiencing are likely due to people “panic buying” or “hoarding” certain products. Families are requested to continue normal shopping, while practicing social distancing, but are asked not to purchase more than is needed. According to EOC, the rumors may stem from confusion related to recent announcements from the cruise line industry. While the cruise ships will not be coming to Ketchikan for the foreseeable future, there is no expected change in the barge lines. There is a difference between the Jones Act and the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA). The PVSA addresses the transport of passengers and affects the cruise ships. The Jones Act addresses cargo and is not being impacted by the recent decisions of the cruise line industry. If by chance President Donald Trump chooses to declare the health crisis over the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center will still have the ability to recommend longer actions and are likely to recommend longer shelter in place actions in Ketchikan. Governor Dunleavy issued 2 Health Mandates Friday evening:
The ECO addressed restricting the number of people who can be in Ketchikan businesses at any given time. According to information provided by the ECO, with the Governor’s social distancing mandate, no more than nine people can be gathered. the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center's Liaison Officer has been reaching out to local businesses and encouraging them to take actions to implement social distancing protocols. The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center's PIO team has created posters which are hung at local grocery stores providing the safeguards for practicing social distancing while shopping. Business owners have the ability to apply restrictions on the number of customers that are allowed in a building. The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center is trying to encourage a collaborative effort to slow and stop the spread. The EOC continues to work with businesses to give them guidance on how to operate safely if they feel it is necessary to do so. Alaska public health officials urge anyone with any respiratory illness, regardless of how mild, to stay home for a period of at least 14 days. Travelers arriving from anywhere in the U.S. or elsewhere are now REQUIRED to self-quarantine at home for the same period of time of 14 days. All Alaskans are urged to practice social distancing, stay home as much as possible, avoid crowds, wash hands frequently, and maintain a six foot distance from others. 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.
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