Daily Sitka Sentinel

Sitka Virus Cases Up; Risk Level High Again

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer

The rolling case average of COVID-19 in Sitka continued to rise today with the report of two new positive test results.

The latest cases, from tests taken Sunday and results posted today, were two nonresident teens, who are currently isolating here. 

Transmission classification information was entered into the dashboard after contact tracing was completed for the five cases posted Monday and today. Three were attributed to “travel,” one was “secondary” and one was attributed to “community spread.”

With the 14-day rolling case average at 1.5 per day, the city, Sitka School District and Mt. Edgecumbe High School showed their respective risk levels at “high.”

Sitka schools continue to be open for in-person instruction, with mitigation measures in place. Mt. Edgecumbe High students are attending classes remotely as planned through Jan. 20. Two of the most recent in the community are Edgecumbe students, who are isolating as contact tracing is conducted, the school superintendent said.

The rest of the boarding students are quarantining with their roommates in accordance with the plan in place since the return of students after the mid-winter break. The remote learning policy will be in place at least until Jan. 20.

The two positive test results among returning students were not unexpected.

“We fully anticipated this would happen,” Superintendent Janelle Vanasse said. “It’s something we planned for and we expected.” 

Vanasse said only a few students decided to stay home after the holidays, and 354 returned or are returning for the start of classes this week. All were tested on arrival this past weekend and will be tested again after seven days. The testing and remote learning policies also apply to day students, who are scheduled to return to campus on Jan. 21, school officials said.

Vanasse said she saw some of the students arriving and they seem to be happy to get back to Sitka. Parents of the students are also pleased and have expressed appreciation their kids can be in Sitka, even with the required mitigation measures, she said. 

“They’ll be happy when they can be in class with their friends,” Vanasse said. She said those who had to be in Sitka over Christmas appreciated the generosity of staff, the community and organizations to help make their holiday away from home special.

Sitka Schools Superintendent John Holst said the return to in-person classes on Monday has gone well, according to reports he has received.

“Kids are happy to be back, and teachers are glad to see them,” he said. “No downside at all.”

Surveys distributed by the district to parents showed 80 percent wanted to return to in-person instruction. Schools other than Baranof Elementary had virtual instruction from Nov. 11 through the start of winter break Dec. 21.

Holst added that so far there has been no evidence of the virus spreading in the schools. “That’s a pretty good record,” Holst said.

With Sitka’s case average on a steady decline since early November – with a slight uptick this week – the Hames Center reopened Monday. The athletic center is a program of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

“It went really well,” said Kenley Jackson, SFAC program director. “Everyone was really positive – people are just happy to be able to work out again.”

Hours are 5 to 9 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., and 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays.

“Memberships were paused during the facility closure and will be reactivated,” the announcement for reopening said. “In an effort to protect the health of our members and staff: masks are required to enter the building and throughout your visit; the gym floor is closed to all activities including individual and group sports.”