2 days ago
On Tuesday, May 26, YKHC identified a third positive COVID-19 case in the YK Delta through a rapid test conducted in Bethel. That day the individual was tested a second time using a test that was processed by the State Public Health lab. Today, Friday, May 29, YKHC received results from the State, confirming the lab test returned as negative.
While YKHC is highly confident the rapid test provided a false positive, YKHC uses rapid testing when we believe it would make a difference in how we manage clinical response of a patient at that time. In other words, if the rapid test returns as positive, it allows us to urge quarantine or self-isolation immediately to reduce the risk of community spread. We act as every positive is a true positive, because the health risk to our communities of not doing so is too high. In this circumstance, it also allowed YKHC to deploy our village rapid response team out of an abundance of caution to conduct community-based response.
At YKHC, all rapid test results are sent to the State of Alaska lab for confirmation. Unfortunately, there is no option available nationally or globally to acquire immediate confirmatory testing of rapid results. Confirmatory lab testing generally requires a 3-5 day turnaround.
While we are working hard to protect the region from further spread of COVID-19 and keeping you informed on our efforts, we need your help. This global pandemic is far from over. We urge YK Delta residents to continue to practice protective measures, including: physical distancing, regular hand washing, wearing a face covering in public, regularly disinfecting surfaces in your home, and opting for free COVID-19 testing upon arrival at the Bethel airport when traveling from out-of-region.
This statement is available on our website at: www.ykhc.org/update-on-third-covid-19-case-in-the-yk-delta/ ... See MoreSee Less
3 days ago
On May 26, YKHC confirmed a third positive COVID-19 case of an individual in the YK Delta who was identified through rapid testing, in accordance with Health Mandate 15. The individual resides in a YKHC service area village, but was in Bethel at the time of testing. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the village the person resides in.
Working closely with the local tribe and city government, YKHC sent a rapid response team to the village. The village rapid response team – including a physician, two nurses, a lab technician, and two environmental health officers – arrived in the affected community at 3 p.m. that same day. By that afternoon, all close contacts of the known positive case were identified and tested twice – using both rapid testing and lab testing that will be processed in Anchorage. All rapid tests taken of close contacts of the person who originally tested positive returned as negative.
The following morning, May 27, YKHC’s village rapid response team began community-wide testing. By the end of the day, over 350 residents were tested using both rapid and lab testing, with all known results returning as negative. Results of samples collected for lab testing will be available 3-5 days after the date of collection.
YKHC has informed the individual who originally tested positive, and all of their close contacts, to continue quarantining for 14 days from the time of the positive test, ending quarantine on June 8. The community is encouraged to shelter in place until all State lab results return. Widespread community testing will continue to be offered through the village. If needed, YKHC’s village rapid response team will return to the community for follow-up support.
YKHC is here for you and your family. While we are working hard to protect the region from further spread of the virus, we need your help. This additional case highlights the importance of YK Delta residents to continue practicing protective measures, including: physical distancing from anyone not residing in your same household, regular handwashing, wearing a face covering in public, and regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your home.
Get the latest information on COVID-19 and local response from YKHC at www.ykhc.org/covid-19.
This update is available on YKHC’s website: www.ykhc.org/update-on-ykhcs-covid-19-response/ ... See MoreSee Less
5 days ago
Today, Tuesday, May 26, YKHC identified a third positive COVID-19 case in the YK Delta. The positive was identified through rapid testing conducted in Bethel today. The individual was tested a second time, using a test that will be processed and confirmed by the State Public Health lab. The individual resides in a YKHC service area village, but was in Bethel at the time of testing. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the village the person resides in.
The individual is currently self-isolating and YKHC is working with the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and local government officials to ensure precautions are taken to protect people they may have been in close contact with.
Prior to this notification going out, clinic staff in the affected village notified community members of the case. Long before any COVID-19 cases were identified in the YK Delta, YKHC developed a plan to respond to any positive cases within service area villages. A response team is traveling to the village today to provide screening and rapid testing.
YKHC has been operating under an Incident Command System (ICS) since March 18. The ICS is a management system designed to enable effective and efficient company-wide incident management by integrating a combination of personnel, procedures, resources, and communications operating within a common organizational structure. The ICS is making all decisions related to COVID-19 response and it will be active until further notice.
This additional case highlights the importance of continuing to practice known protective measures against the novel coronavirus, including regular handwashing, universal masking, physical distancing from anyone not in your same household, and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your home.
YKHC is hosting a biweekly call for our tribal councils to receive updates regarding our COVID-19 response. The next call is Thursday, June 4. Tribes who are not already attending these calls can email publicrelations@ykhc.org to receive call-in information.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms, do not go to your village clinic or to the emergency room in Bethel. Instead, call your village clinic or in Bethel call 543-6949 so a health care provider can assist you.
Get the latest information on COVID-19 from YKHC at www.ykhc.org/covid-19 ... See MoreSee Less
www.ykhc.org
Today, Tuesday, May 26, YKHC identified a third positive COVID-19 case in the YK Delta. The positive was identified through rapid testing conducted in Bethel today. The individual was tested a second ... 
