During a live Facebook event Saturday evening, Dan Nelson with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management announced that two new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, both on the central Kenai Peninsula. One case is in Soldotna and the other is in Sterling. The information was provided by the Department of Health and Social Services.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Saturday evening announced seven new cases of COVID-19 in five Alaska communities – Anchorage (1), Fairbanks (1), Ketchikan (3), Sterling (1) and Soldotna (1).
The Soldotna and the Anchorage cases were both travel-related with travel to the Lower 48. All of the other cases were non-travel related and are currently being investigated. All cases were in adults; none were hospitalized. “All of the new cases are isolating themselves at home and their close contacts are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms,” said Alaska’s State Epidemiologist, Dr. Joe McLaughlin. “Our thoughts go out to these people, their families and their communities. All of these individuals are being conscientious and cooperating fully with public health officials.”
In a release from KPB Office of Emergency Management; “Per DHSS, health officials have contacted these individuals and will continue to monitor their condition to ensure continued self-isolation. Public Health officials will initiate a contact investigation and reach out to any person who may have come into contact with these individuals. Public Health will notify and isolate additional persons as appropriate. Through the contact investigation, Public Health will direct testing of persons that meet criteria based on contact with any confirmed case of COVID-19. Individuals who meet the criteria are being tested in accordance with CDC and State of Alaska priorities.”
In a statement from Mayor Charlie Pierce, “I urge all residents and visitors to follow Governor Dunleavy’s Heath Alerts and Mandates. These mandates have been released in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.” In keeping with the health mandates and alerts that have been issued by Governor Dunleavy, the public to practice social distancing. Postpone any non-essential, in-state travel for personal, business or elective medical appointments. This recommendation supports the heightened concern for travel to remote communities that have limited medical resources.
We want to assure the public that critical services such as fire and emergency services, dispatch, solid waste and road maintenance will remain fully functional.
Please help stop the spread of COVID-19. We encourage citizens to follow these CDC recommendations:
· Wash your hands (and thumbs) with soap/water often
· Avoid touching your nose, face and mouth
· Use sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol
· Avoid people who are sick to help protect yourself
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
This brings the total number of cases on the Kenai Peninsula to three, which includes the first case in Seward.
“It is vital that every person is doing as much as possible to slow the spread of this disease,” added Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink. “Social distancing is critical. Stay home as much as you can and, even if you’re healthy, stay away from those more vulnerable to severe illness, including those 60 or older, or anyone who might have an underlying medical condition.” Travelers arriving from anywhere outside of Alaska should self-quarantine for 14 days, per the March 20th Alaska Health Alert.
Additional current information on COVID-19 is available through the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) at www.coronavirus.alaska.gov. Information and the response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Kenai Peninsula Borough will continue to be updated daily on the KPB Office of Emergency Management Blog at www.kpboem.com as well as Facebook and Twitter @KPBalerts.
This is a developing story, updates will be posted.
