On January 15, YKHC reports two hospitalizations and eighty new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta.
Two in-region hospitalizations
Two COVID-19 positive individuals were admitted into the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital. These are the fifty-third and fifty-fourth individuals hospitalized in-region due to COVID-19.
New COVID-19 Cases
The 80 are residents in:
Akiachak (37)
Atmautluak (1)
Bethel (10)
Chefornak (5)
Emmonak (3)
Hooper Bay(1)
Marshall (4)
Mt. Village (9)
Tuluksak (2)
YKHC Service Area Village, one community (8)
YKHC has strongly recommended all communities in the YK Delta region immediately extend shelter-in-place, or lockdown, mandates through February 28, 2021, due to evidence of exponential growth of COVID-19 transmission following the holiday season.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate while YKHC and the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology conduct contact tracing, follow-up testing, and outreach. Due to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases across the region, individual case investigations are ongoing and information about specific transmission methods may not be available upon request.
YKHC continues to urge the public to follow all guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 spreads easily, even when someone does not have any symptoms. Even if your community has no positive COVID-19 cases, please continue to practice all protective measures including: avoiding hosting or attending gatherings of any kind, wear a mask when in public, avoid all non-essential travel, receive free COVID-19 testing upon arrival at the Bethel, St. Mary’s, and Aniak airports, practice regular handwashing, remain physically distant (more than six feet) from anyone who does not reside in your household, and frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, or diminished sense of taste or smell. If you have any of these symptoms, call your village clinic or in Bethel call 543-6949 so a health care provider can assist you. Do not go to your village clinic or to the emergency room in Bethel.