On August 17, YKHC identified three new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta.
August 17: Case 1
Late in the day on August 16, YKHC was notified that a Bethel resident tested positive for COVID-19 in Anchorage. While the individual has been out of region for several weeks, per State reporting protocols, the positive case will be counted as a YK Delta case.
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. YKHC is working collaboratively 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.
August 17: Case 2
On August 17, YKHC confirmed a positive COVID-19 case of an individual who resides in a YKHC service area village. The case was identified through testing of inbound passengers at the Bethel airport. The individual subsequently returned to their home community, but was not notified about the positive result until after travel occurred. To protect patient privacy, YKHC is not releasing the name of the service area village the individual is from.
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. All close contacts will be provided instructions for follow-up testing and precautions to take.
August 17: Case 3
On August 17, YKHC confirmed a positive COVID-19 case of a Bethel resident identified through testing of inbound passengers at the Bethel airport.
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. All close contacts will be provided instructions for follow-up testing, and advised on precautions to take.
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.