COVID-19 Update: Total Cases Statewide 143; Includes 1 New Case in KetchikanBy MARY KAUFFMAN
April 01, 2020
Of the 143 positive cases statewide, 40 are travel-related, 11 are non-travel related, 50 are close contact and 42 are under investigation as to cause. As of today, statewide there have been 5,022 tests completed. Of today's cases announced, one of the new cases is an older adult (60+); eight are adults aged 30-59; and one is a younger adult aged 19-29. Seven are female and three are male. Two of the cases are close contacts of previously diagnosed cases and eight are still under investigation. As of today, there are no new known hospitalizations nor deaths.
Yesterday, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced 14 new cases of COVID-19 in five Alaska communities – Anchorage (2), Eagle River (2), Fairbanks (5), Juneau (4) and Kenai (1). This brought the total case count in Alaska on Tuesday to 133. Two of the new cases announced Tuesday are older adults (60+); 10 are adults aged 30-59; and two are younger adults aged 19-29. Five are female and nine are male. Five of the cases are close contacts of previously diagnosed cases; two are travel-related and seven are still under investigation. So far the communities in Alaska that have had laboratory-confirmed cases include Anchorage (including JBER), Eagle River/Chugiak, Girdwood, Homer, Fairbanks, North Pole, Ketchikan, Juneau Palmer, Wasilla, Seward, Soldotna, Sterling and Kenai. As of April 1st, statewide there have been a total of 9 individuals hospitalized and 3 reported deaths related to COVID-19. As of today, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Ketchikan is fourteen (14). Of these 14 cases, two (2) individuals had a recent history of travel, and eleven (11) individuals were identified as having been in close contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. Ten out of 14 Ketchikan cases have recovered and no longer being monitored by Public Health. In Ketchikan 137 test have been conducted for COVID-19 with 14 positive results, 75 negative results, with 48 pending results. Today's new postive case reported in Ketchikan does not have a history of recent travel, and has been identified as having been in close contact to a person who was 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, as usual 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 individual. Public Health will notify and quarantine 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. Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said they have received questions regarding consequences to members of the public who fail to follow the social distancing mandates and directives that have been put into place by the President of the United States, Governor of the State of Alaska, and the local Ketchikan Gateway Borough, City of Ketchikan, and City of Saxman authorities. According to Ketchikan Emergency Operations, while the State of Alaska does have the ability to enforce violations of any of the mandates issued, the State and local governments are fully expecting compliance from our citizens. It is our hope that citizens will respect the directives for social distancing for the health and well-being of all and to #flattenthecurve and #stopthespread. If there are violations of mandates and social distancing directives, the greatest penalty would be a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 to an extent that our local healthcare providers could not accommodate. Again, we are hopeful that are citizens will comply with the mandates for social distancing so that does not occur. It is the hope of Ketchikan Emergency Operations that law enforcement officers will not have to issue citations to citizens for failing to follow directives. If they do have to do so, it would be in line with wreckless endangerment statutes. If a citizen would like to report a concern for a violation of a mandate, those concerns can be emailed to investigations@alaska.gov The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center continues to urge Ketchikan 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. 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. Also today, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) issued an extension to the State of Alaska’s COVID-19 Health Mandate 002 on State Libraries, Archives, Museums and Residential Schools and COVID-19 Health Mandate 003 on Statewide Closure Restaurants, Bars, Entertainment. Mandate 002 and Mandate 003 are in effect until rescinded. A list of all the Governor’s COVID-19 Health Mandates can be found here. 30 Days to Slow the Spread – Excerpts from the White House Guideline
Additional current information on COVID-19 is available through the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) at www.coronavirus.alaska.gov. Ketchikan 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. The Alaska Congressional Delegation Office has created a handy guide for small business owners on the federal SBA disaster funding: The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has updated its guidance on how the emergency paid leave provisions included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (package 2) should be implemented. Guidance is available at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions
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