On August 23, YKHC identified eleven new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta.
August 23: Cases 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8
Late in the day on August 22, YKHC confirmed eight individuals who reside in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the service area village the individuals are from. All individuals were close contacts of previously known COVID-19 cases.
The individuals are currently self-isolating and YKHC is working with the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology to conduct contact tracing, follow-up testing, and ensure precautions are taken to protect people the individual may have been in close contact with. All close contacts will be provided instructions for follow-up testing, and advised on precautions to take.
August 23: Case 9
Late in the day on August 22, YKHC confirmed a positive COVID-19 case of an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village. The case was identified through airport testing of inbound passengers arriving to the region. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the service area village the individual is from.
The individual is currently self-isolating and YKHC is working with the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology to conduct contact tracing, follow-up testing, and ensure precautions are taken to protect people the individual may have been in close contact with. All close contacts have been identified and provided instructions for follow-up testing, and advised on precautions to take.
August 23: Case 10
Late in the day on August 22, YKHC confirmed a positive COVID-19 case of a Bethel resident who was tested in accordance with Health Mandate 18.
The individual is currently self-isolating and YKHC is working with the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology to conduct contact tracing, follow-up testing, and ensure precautions are taken to protect people the individual may have been in close contact with. All close contacts have been identified and provided instructions for follow-up testing, and advised on precautions to take.
August 23: Case 11
On August 23, YKHC confirmed a YKHC service area village resident tested positive for COVID-19. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the service area village the individual is from. The individual was a close contact of a previously known COVID-19 case.
The individual is currently self-isolating and YKHC is working with the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology to conduct contact tracing, follow-up testing, and ensure precautions are taken to protect people the individual may have been in close contact with. All close contacts will be provided instructions for follow-up testing, and advised on precautions to take.
The pandemic and the public health risks it poses is not over. Additional cases emphasize the importance of continuing to practice all known protective measures. Protective measures include: avoid all non-essential travel, opt for free COVID-19 testing upon arrival at the Bethel, St. Mary’s, and Aniak airports when arriving from out-of-region, practice regular handwashing, remain physically distant (more than six feet) from anyone who does not reside in your same household, wear a mask when in public, and frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and diminished sense of taste or smell. 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.
YKHC offers free COVID-19 testing, without an appointment, at the Bethel drive-thru testing site every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. Testing also continues by appointment at the Bethel drive-thru testing site on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, by calling 543-6949.
Get the latest information on COVID-19 from YKHC at www.ykhc.org/covid-19.