New Alaska travel update goes in effect August 11th; Positive tests statewide for the previous seven days is 2.56%Posted & Edited by MARY KAUFFMAN August 09, 2020
Upcoming Changes to Ketchikan Airport Traveler Testing Site In anticipation of construction occurring at the Revilla side of the airport ferry parking lot in upcoming weeks, the traveler testing site will be relocated to the Gravina side of the airport. Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center anticipates the change in airport traveler testing location to be effective on or around August 13, 2020. The new testing operation will be set up adjacent to the airport terminal building. After deplaning, travelers will go through the screening process near the baggage claim area, and if a COVID-19 test is needed, will proceed to the testing tent immediately to the left of the exit door by baggage claim. Signage is being developed to assist travelers with the new process. Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center will announce additional details next week. An alternative traveler testing site on the Revilla side will also be established, in order to accommodate travelers on Revillagigedo Island. The additional site will be available for the testing of both interstate and intrastate travelers arriving through various means of transportation including private vessels and planes, and will accommodate vouchers for the 7-14 day follow-up travel tests. The alternate traveler testing site may be incorporated into the Berth 3 Drive-Up Testing operation, or it may be determined to be at a different location. Additional information will be provided next week. Ketchikan Airport Traveler Testing Statistics and Information The traveler testing site will continue to operate on the Revilla side of the airport ferry parking lot until further notice. Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center anticipates the move happening on or around August 13th, and will provide updated information next week. Under current Mandate 10 requirements, through August 10th, all travelers arriving from out of state are required to either self-quarantine for 14 days, or obtain a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure to Alaska, or to obtain a test upon arrival, and self-quarantine until a negative test result is received. The site is currently scheduled for when the northbound commercial flights arrive, but is open for any out-of-state traveler. The traveler testing site times are: 7:30 to 9 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. This week in Ketchikan, there were 1648 passengers screened with travel declaration forms completed through the traveler testing site. The breakdown of the screened passengers is as follows: 1039 - Tested prior to travel 386 - Tested at airport (initial arrival) 168 - Selected 14 day quarantine 30 - Critical Infrastructure 22 - Selected Out of State for not more than 24 hours 3 - Recovered from COVID-19 Travelers arriving on other commercial or private aircraft or vessels who already have negative test results or choosing to self-quarantine for 14-days should submit required documentation electronically to traveler@alaska.gov or fax them to 907-269-7952. Those in need of testing should go to the airport testing site with required paperwork during operating hours. All arriving passengers must complete the travel declaration form. The declaration form, Health Mandate 10.1, and additional information for travelers is available online (click here). The weekly free Ketchikan drive-up clinic was held August 5 and 6 on Berth 3. This week, there were 39 people tested at the Berth 3 Drive-Up Clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free drive-up clinic is provided each Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Berth 3. The weekly drive-up testing clinic will be offered to anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, and is also open to certain asymptomatic individuals, including: those who have health conditions; are age 65 or older; health care workers or care providers; first responders; or those who have recently traveled. The EOC thanked Creekside Clinic and its staff members for their work for the clinics. In addition to the weekly drive-up testing for members of the public, the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Centerhas coordinated with the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) for weekly testing of ferry workers. This week, 19 AMHS employees were tested. As of Friday, August 7, 2020, the cumulative COVID-19 case count for Ketchikan, including travelers, remains at 50. The number of positive cases of individuals residing or staying in Ketchikan is 43. Of the 43 cases, 2 are still active, and 41 have recovered. As of today, August 09, 2020, 100 new cases were reported by the Alaska Division of Health & Social Services. The total number of Alaska resident cases is 3,711 and the total number of nonresident cases is 762. Statewide there have been a total of 152 hospitalizations and 26 deaths with three new hospitalizations reported today. There are currently 32 patients statewide diagnosed with COVID-19 who are hospitalized and an additional nine patients who are considered persons under investigation (PUI) for a total of 41 current COVID-related hospitalizations. Individuals who no longer require isolation (recovered cases) total 1,091. A total of 277,919 tests have been conducted in Alaska. The average percentage of daily positive tests for the previous seven days is 2.56%.
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