On October 19, YKHC identified nine new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta.
October 19: Case 1, 2, and 3
Late in the day on October 18, YKHC confirmed three Bethel residents tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals are close contacts of previously known COVID-19 cases.
October 19: Case 4
On October 19, YKHC confirmed an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19 elsewhere in Alaska. Contact tracing indicates the individual was infectious while in-region. The individual is a close contact of a previously known COVID-19 case.
October 19: Case 5, 6, and 7
On October 19, YKHC confirmed three Bethel residents tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals are close contacts of previously known COVID-19 cases.
October 19: Case 8
On October 19, YKHC confirmed a Bethel resident tested positive for COVID-19. The case investigation is on-going.
October 19: Case 9
On October 19, YKHC confirmed an individual who resides in Toksook Bay tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is a close contact of a previously known COVID-19 case.
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 they may have been in close contact with. All close contacts will be provided instructions for follow-up testing and precautions to take.
Please note: On October 1, YKHC began receiving written authorization from Tribal leadership to disclose the name of communities in public notifications when positive COVID-19 test results affect villages in our service area. The purpose of this is to continue to protect patient privacy, while bringing as much awareness as possible of current community public health risks, encourage community response and prevention, and promote use of protective measures.
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, avoid dining in at restaurants (instead order out), 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 continues to offer 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.