On August 12, YKHC identified five new COVID-19 cases in Bethel. All cases announced here were close contacts of previously known COVID-19 cases.
YKHC will offer an additional day of free COVID-19 testing, without an appointment, at the Bethel drive-thru testing site on Thursday, August 13, from noon to 4 p.m.
August 12: Cases 1, 2, and 3
Late in the day on August 11, YKHC confirmed three Bethel residents tested positive for COVID-19.
The individuals are 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. All close contacts have been identified, provided instructions for follow-up testing, and advised on precautions to take.
August 12: Case 4
Late in the day on August 11, YKHC confirmed an individual in Bethel tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is not a resident of the YK Delta and, therefore per State reporting protocols, will not be counted in the YK Delta positive case count.
The individual is currently self-isolating in Bethel 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. All close contacts have been identified, provided instructions for follow-up testing, and advised on precautions to take.
August 12: Case 5
On August 12, YKHC confirmed a Bethel resident tested positive for COVID-19. 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. All close contacts have been identified, 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.