On Friday, June 12, YKHC was notified that an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19 while in Anchorage. The individual was tested in accordance with Health Mandate 15. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the community.
On June 13, YKHC deployed a village rapid response team to the affected community to follow up with close contacts, provide widespread testing and offer medical support. During community-based response, YKHC tested 112 residents. As of July 6, all results have returned and all are negative.
On June 15, YKHC confirmed an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19 while in Bethel. The individual was tested in accordance with Health Mandate 15. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the community.
On June 15-16, YKHC deployed a village rapid response team to the affected community to follow up with close contacts, provide widespread testing and offer medical support. During community-based response, YKHC tested 263 residents. On June 24, results returned one positive and the remainder of tests as negative.
YKHC deployed a second village rapid response team to the affected community to follow up with close contacts, provide widespread testing and offer medical support from June 26-July 1. During community-based response, YKHC tested 156 residents. As of July 6, all results have returned and all are negative.
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.