On July 9, YKHC confirmed two new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta.
July 9: Case 1
On July 9, YKHC confirmed a Bethel resident tested positive for COVID-19. The individual who tested positive is a household member of the positive case announced yesterday, July 8.
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.
While known close contacts of the positive case are minimal and YKHC is highly confident this is a travel-related case, YKHC continues to offer 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.
July 9: Case 2
On July 9, YKHC was notified that an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19 while in Anchorage. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the service area village the individual is from. While the individual has been out of region for over two weeks, per State reporting protocols, the positive case will be counted as a YK Delta case.
The individual is currently self-isolating in Anchorage. Contact tracing reveals the individual was not in the YK Delta during the period of time they would have been exposed to or considered infectious for COVID-19. Therefore, local response for contact tracing and follow-up testing is being managed in Anchorage.
Although the State of Alaska has eased restrictions on travel and moved to reopen Alaska’s economy, the pandemic and the public health risks it poses is not over. These 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 airport 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. Get the latest information on COVID-19 from YKHC at www.ykhc.org/covid-19.