(SitNews) Alaska -  Yesterday afternoon, a crewmember on the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) M/V Tustumena was notified that a person they had been in close contact with tested positive for COVID-19. At the time, the crewmember on the Tustumena was displaying mild symptoms including a runny nose, cough and body aches, but they did not have a fever. The crewmember isolated on board, and a rapid test was conducted at about 5 p.m. That test came back positive at 6 p.m.

The Alaska Division of Public Health is currently working to identify contacts. The vessel had a crew of 35 and no more than 60 passengers at any time during the voyage south from Homer to Dutch Harbor. At this time, 16 close contacts have been identified, all of whom were other crewmembers. All crew stayed onboard in Dutch Harbor. No passengers have been identified as close contacts.

Northbound passengers who boarded the vessel Saturday afternoon did not have contact with the COVID-19 positive crewmember and were only on the ship briefly. These passengers were notified of the crewmember’s COVID-19 positive status and disembarked the vessel at 7 p.m., with instructions to self-monitor. Six passengers who originally boarded the vessel in Homer did not disembark the vessel in Dutch Harbor.

Medical personnel screened the AMHS crewmember and remaining six passengers prior to departure from Dutch Harbor. During transit, only essential crew will operate; the remaining crew and six passengers will self-quarantine. No additional stops will be made along the way. After arrival to their final destination, crewmembers and passengers will be tested for COVID-19, they will then quarantine and self-monitor. 

The Tustumena returned to service June 2 and just completed the first run down the Aleutian Chain. The vessel started service in Homer, and visited Seldovia, Kodiak, Chignik, Sand Point, King Cove, Cold Bay, False Pass, Akutan and Dutch Harbor. The Tustumena arrived in Dutch Harbor Saturday morning.

All passengers who were onboard the Tustumena earlier this week are asked to follow the guidance below for 14 days after they left the ship. As the investigation continues, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services will provide guidance, if warranted.

• Wear a mask/face covering when in public.
• Minimize their exposure to others.
• Monitor for any symptoms including fever twice a day.
• Get tested for the virus that causes COVID-19 if they are symptomatic and consider getting tested 7-14 days after they left the ship if they remain asymptomatic.

Tustumena sailings are canceled until further notice. Passengers with upcoming reservations will be contacted and their fare will be refunded. Passengers who have questions can contact reservations at 1-800-642-0066, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Alaska Time.

The Tustumena is being thoroughly disinfected before returning to service. AMHS has COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place. These protocols include:

• Reminders to passengers and AMHS employees to practice good hygiene and follow social distancing guidelines. 
• Passenger capacity on each vessel is reduced to 1/3 to enable social distancing.
• Passengers and AMHS employees complete a health screening form before boarding. People who are sick or have recently had contact with an infected person are not permitted to travel.
• The CDC’s COVID-19 prevention guidance is posted on at AMHS terminals and aboard vessels.
• Modifications to food service spaces to ensure social distancing.
• Intensified cleaning of all areas, including routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

Alaska Seeing Big Increase in Cases

Over the last 11 days, Alaska is seeing its biggest increase in COVID19 cases since the start of the pandemic. On May 28, 2020, the Alaska case count was 425 with a total of 17 nonresident cases. By June 7th, the Alaska case count had grown from 425 to 544, an increase of 119 cases in 11 days. Over this 11 day period, the nonresident case count increased from 17 to 46, an increase of 29 cases.

May 28th (click for details), thirteen (13) new Alaska cases of COVID-19 in seven communities bringing the total case count to 425. There were no new nonresident cases reported on the 28th leaving the nonresident case count at 17 with 12 of those in the seafood industry.

“I know this increase in cases today may come as a surprise to some, but this is why we continue to closely monitor cases and investigate each one,” said Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Anne Zink on May 28th. “Many of the cases came in late yesterday and are still under investigation so it’s too soon to have details about the source of transmission, but other factors such as increases in testing may also play a role.” The Section of Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing will be interviewing the patients and following up with anyone who may be a close contact to advise them about their risk of exposure and what measures to take to protect themselves and their community.

Dr. Zink added, “Alaskans should take this news as an important reminder that the virus is still with us and that we should not ease up on the actions each of us can take to protect ourselves including: keeping six feet of distance from others, wearing a face covering when out in public, washing our hands frequently, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces at home and work.”

May 29th, five new cases of COVID-19 reported in four Alaska communities bringing the total Alaska count to 430; one nonresident detected as a positive case after they had completed their 14-day self-quarantine bringing the nonresident cases to 18, 3 of whom are visitors.

May 30th, four new cases of COVID-19 in four Alaska communities bringing the case count to 434. One new nonresident case bringing that case count to a total of 19.

May 31, twenty-seven (27) positive Alaska cases were reported with one new nonresident case identified in a seafood industry worker in the Dillingham Census Area increasing the total Alaska case count to 460 and increasing the total nonresident count to 21.

June 1st, seven new cases of COVID-19 in four communities were announced brings the total number of Alaska cases to 467. No new nonresident cases reported.

During a press conference with Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink and Anchorage health officials, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said that while he is concerned about the higher numbers, an increase was not unexpected. Alaska’s biggest concern going into the pandemic was that COVID-19 cases would overwhelm the state’s health capacity. That hasn’t happened, said the governor.

June 2nd, twenty (20) new Alaska cases of COVID-19 in four communities announced bringing the total number of Alaska cases to 487. One new nonresident was identified in a seafood worker in the Valdez-Cordova Census Area. The case is listed separately from the total Alaska case count since the person is not a resident of Alaska. The nonresident cases on June 2nd now total 22, of which 14 are in the seafood industry.

June 3rd, eighteen (18) new cases of COVID-19 in eight communities reported bringing the total number of Alaska cases to 505. One new nonresident case was identified in a seafood worker in Anchorage. The person was detected through testing at the airport on their arrival and has been in self-quarantine. The nonresident cases now total 23, of which 15 are in the seafood industry.

June 4th, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced eight new cases of COVID-19 in five communities: Anchorage (4), Homer (1), Soldotna (1), Big Lake (1) and Anchor Point (1). This brings the total number of Alaska cases to 513.

In addition to the Alaska cases announced on June 4th, 18 nonresident cases were identified on June 3rd, 17 of which are in the seafood industry and one “other industry” case is in the Sitka City and Borough. Bring the nonresident case count to 41.

June 5th, 11 new cases of COVID-19 were announced in six communities bringing the total number of Alaska cases to 524.

Two nonresident cases were identified in the Municipality of Anchorage. One case is a seafood worker and the other is a visitor. This brings the total nonresident cases, which are listed separately from the Alaska cases, to 43.

June 6th, twelve (12) new Alaska cases of COVID-19 in four communities/areas bringing the total Alaska case count to 536.

Two new nonresident cases were identified in the Municipality of Anchorage, both in the seafood industry bringing the total nonresident cases, which are listed separately from the Alaska cases, to 45.

“COVID-19 activity is rising in Alaska, especially in Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. We need to consider that anyone we interact with could have COVID-19,” said Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on June 6h. “All Alaskans and visitors to our state should take personal responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s extremely important to continue with our prevention measures – stay 6 feet apart from others, wash hands often, avoid touching your face, wear cloth face coverings when out in public, keep social circles small and stay home when you are sick.”

And today, June 7th, eight new cases of COVID-19 in four communities bringing the total number of Alaska cases to 544.

Two new nonresident cases were identified yesterday in the Municipality of Anchorage, both in the seafood industry. This brings the total nonresident cases, which are listed separately from the Alaska cases, to 45.

There have been no reported positive cases in Ketchikan since April 20th with the count still at 16, with 16 recovered.

Source of News:

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

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