Craig Second Case, Klawock Rapid Testing, and Other Important News

Because the news is changing so quickly, for your convenience, below is a big post on the latest happenings:

Second Confirmed Case in Craig:

Craig City staff was notified by Alaska Public Health on Monday, April 13th that there was a second confirmed COVID-19 case in Craig. Both confirmed cases on Prince of Wales are in Craig. Public Health and the Division of Epidemiology are currently conducting a case investigation to determine how the patient was exposed and the potential scope of contacts. Additional information about this case will be released by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) as it is available.

The city Emergency Operations Center staff was notified on Friday, April 10th of the
first confirmed case in Craig. On Saturday, April 11 , the state Section of Epidemiology released information that the first case was a female between the ages of 70 and 79. No information has been released regarding the source of either case. Information about the age range and sex of the second case will be released by DHSS during their regular updates. To access DHSS data go to coronavirus.alaska.gov.

The Craig Emergency Operations Center staff will continue to meet and will determine what actions need to be taken in light of the confirmed case in Craig. All existing quarantine and other measures will remain for the time being.

We are strongly advising residents to strictly follow all health mandates and advisories to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in Craig. These measures include:

Do not socialize with persons outside of your household

Maintain good social distancing at all times keeping at least six feet between persons

Keep all trips for essential services to a minimum to avoid contact and wear a face mask/covering when you do need to make essential service trips

Stay home as much as possible

Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face as much as possible

If you have symptoms or have a temperature of 100.4° F or higher contact your primary healthcare provider and self isolate immediately

All Craig City Activities Canceled and Public Facilities Closed Until April 17th

All Activities at the City Gym, Aquatic Center, Library, and Recreation Center are canceled and these facilities will not be open to the public until at least April 17th. All other public facilities are also subject to closure until at least April 17th. Click Here for a link on closures and how to access some services from the Craig Library during the closure.

Health Mandate 014 – Non-Congregate Sheltering Order

The State of Alaska is prepared to implement a temporary quarantine and isolation program utilizing non-congregate shelter solutions including hotels, college and university dormitories, and properly modified non-traditional structures to house three specific populations:

First responders and healthcare workers who need to quarantine safely without exposing their families.

Homeless families, with at least one member who tested positive for COVID-19, who live in congregate shelters and will require isolation.

Homeless individuals who require quarantine or isolation.

As of April 12, 2020, there were 277 confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the state. Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska has reviewed the data regarding actual COVID-19 cases and reported exposures among vulnerable populations.

Therefore, in order to protect public health and to ensure public safety, as well as to lessen or avert the threat of a healthcare catastrophe, the implementation of non-congregate shelter quarantine and isolation solutions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable populations must be put in place.

This mandate will remain in effect until rescinded.

Impact of COVID-19 on Alaska Families Survey

Thank you for being willing to complete this short survey about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Alaska families. COVID-19 caused a worldwide disease outbreak or pandemic that reached Alaska in March 2020.

This survey is being conducted by the State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Public Health. The survey should take you about five minutes to complete. Results will be used to inform DHSS in its response to the pandemic. The survey is confidential. We will maintain your IP address to link your responses to other COVID-19 related surveys you choose to take. Your participation is voluntary. If you don't want to answer a particular question, that's okay.

[Take the survey here]

SEARHC Introduces Rapid Testing:

SITKA, April 8, 2020 – On Tuesday, April 7, the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Incident Command System (ICS) announced the pending arrival of several COVID-19 rapid test machines from the medical equipment manufacturer Abbott. Each machine is accompanied by approximately 45 testing kits and will be available in seven SEARHC communities in the coming days, allowing for same-day, in-house COVID-19 test results.

Providers in the communities of Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, Klawock, Haines, Hoonah and Kake will be the first to receive rapid test machines, with Angoon and other communities to follow as additional units become available. With only a limited number of kits currently on hand, SEARHC Medical Directors have implemented strict guidelines to ensure rapid tests are utilized in only the most timely and essential situations. Prioritizing use of the Abbott rapid test is ultimately at the discretion of the site Medical Director, but criteria is in place to include situations that limit the spread of COVID among community members at high-risk for severe illness, such as a long-term care, nursing home, or assisted living. In addition, instances that improve safety of healthcare workers, and availability of critical staff and supplies, may be prioritized as well.

“SEARHC leadership is excited to add rapid response testing to our available resources during the pandemic,” said SEARHC Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elliot Bruhl. “The ability to produce fast test results in-house will be extremely valuable as we work to protect our high-risk populations, as well as ensure staff on the front lines are safe and available to provide care.”

Patients who do not meet the rapid test criteria, but meet the symptomatic guidelines for a COVID-19 test, will be tested by SEARHC providers with either the State Lab or the private LabCorp receiving the cultures, depending on which facility has the quickest turn-around time at the time of testing (typically 24-48 hours). Due to known community spread of COVID-19 in our region, tests are currently available to all patients exhibiting a fever and cough, or shortness of breath, regardless of travel or exposure history.

For more information on test availability, including alternative test site locations and contact information for the SEARHC provider in your community, visit covid19.searhc.org or call the SEARHC COVID-19 Hotline at 907.966.8799.