My YKHealth

Thirteen new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta on October 16

On October 16, YKHC identified thirteen new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta.


October 16: Case 1 and 2

Late in the day on October 15, YKHC confirmed two individuals who reside in Toksook Bay tested positive for COVID-19. The case investigations are on-going.

October 16: Case 3

Late in the day on October 15, YKHC confirmed an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19. The case investigation is on-going.

October 16: Case 4

Late in the day on October 15, YKHC confirmed a Bethel resident tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing indicates this is a travel-related case. 

October 16: Case 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9

On October 16, YKHC confirmed five Bethel residents tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals are close contacts of previously known COVID-19 cases.

October 16: Case 10

On October 16, YKHC confirmed a Bethel resident tested positive for COVID-19. The case investigation is on-going.

October 16: Case 11

On October 16, YKHC confirmed an individual who resides in Toksook Bay tested positive for COVID-19. The case investigation is on-going.

October 16: Case 12

On October 16, YKHC confirmed an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing indicates this is a travel-related case. 

October 16: Case 13

On October 16, YKHC confirmed an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19 and subsequently traveled to Bethel. The individual was unaware of their positive result until after travel occurred. Contact tracing indicates the individual was infectious in their service area village.

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.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *