On October 11, YKHC identified seven new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta.
October 11: Case 1, 2, and 3
On October 11, YKHC confirmed that three individuals who reside in Quinhagak tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals are all close contacts of previously known COVID-19 cases.
October 11: Case 4 and 5
On October 11, YKHC confirmed two individuals who reside in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals are close contacts of previously known COVID-19 cases.
October 11: Case 6
On October 11, YKHC confirmed that a Bethel resident tested positive for COVID-19 in Bethel. Contact tracing indicates this is a travel-related case.
October 11: Case 7
On October 11, YKHC was notified that an individual who resides in Bethel tested positive for COVID-19 in Anchorage and subsequently returned to Bethel. The individual was not notified about the positive test result until after travel occurred.
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 individuals may have been in close contact with. All close contacts have been identified and will be provided instructions for follow-up testing and advised on 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.