By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Eight new positive test results for COVID-19 were reported in Sitka Monday, the highest number recorded for a single day since the start of the health emergency in March.
The main change that has occurred as a result of the steep uptick is a decision by the Sitka School District to move to 100 percent remote education starting Wednesday (see story above).
The Assembly will conduct its regular meeting by Zoom tonight, as it did in the first days of the pandemic in Alaska.
Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz said he asked the city clerk and administrator to arrange for a videoconference meeting after Sitka’s 14-day rolling case rate topped an average of 2 per day. The city went to high (“red”) alert when that rate went above 1.
“The request to meet on Zoom was done in the best interest for the health of the community,” Eisenbeisz said.
City Clerk Sara Peterson said some Assembly members, as well as City Administrator John Leach, attorney Brian Hanson and she herself, plan to be at Centennial Hall in person.
The eight new positive test results on Monday were from tests taken between November 4 and 8. Sitka now has 22 current active cases and a 14-day rolling case rate average of 2.43.
The eight most recent cases included seven residents and one nonresident. They are:
- a female, 20-29, tested Nov. 8, and transmission classification “secondary.”
- a female, 30-39, tested Nov. 4.
- a male nonresident, 20-29, tested Nov. 5, “travel.”
- a female, 40-49, tested Nov. 4.
- a symptomatic male, 50-59, tested Nov. 7, “secondary.”
- a symptomatic female, 0-9, tested Nov. 6, “secondary.”
- a symptomatic male, 0-9, tested Nov. 6, “secondary.”
- a symptomatic male, 30-39, tested Nov. 7, “secondary.”
Contact tracing was listed as “in progress” for five of the most recent cases.
Recommendations by Unified Command for the red alert level includes face coverings “strongly encouraged” in indoor public spaces and outdoors when six-foot physical distances can’t be maintained; physical distancing of six feet; gatherings limited to 50 and outdoor events encouraged. Among the other recommendations are reducing capacity at bars and restaurants to maintain physical distancing.
