By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Ripple effects from the coronavirus outbreak at the Bill Weiss wrestling tournament in April continued this week in Ketchikan and across Southeast as the number of virus cases linked to the event reached 23.
In recent days, Ketchikan has experienced such a steep rise in coronavirus cases that the city no longer is up-to-date with all of them, Ketchikan EOC Public Information Officer Kacie Paxton told the Sentinel today.
“Our public health has been so busy because we have had such a surge in cases that I haven’t had an update in about a day and a half,” Paxton said over the phone.
As of Wednesday, Ketchikan High School remained closed with more than a dozen cases linked to the wrestling tournament, which took place in Ketchikan on April 24 and included teams from across Southeast.
“As of Wednesday afternoon… there were 13 cases related to the high school, 11 students and two staff, then five additional cases associated with Kayhi. There were 5 positives at the wrestling tournament that resulted in additional positives in Sitka, Mt. Edgecumbe, Craig, Klawock, and Wrangell, for a total of 23,” Paxton reported.
At the tournament, COVID-19 protocols weren’t followed, the Region V athletic executive committee said in a public rebuke to the school.
“Due to Ketchikan High School’s actions, Region V schools and communities have been subjected to unnecessary health and safety risks related to COVID-19. This letter is to be considered a ‘warning’ from the Region V executive committee. The undue stress on all communities and participating schools could have and should have been avoided. Ketchikan High School’s failure to follow the plans as set forth by the Region V Board of Directors created a situation that put both the Region and participating schools in an unsafe and unnecessary situation. These actions may jeopardize other schools’ academic in-person schedules and future activities. This is unacceptable and future violations of Region V policies may result in Ketchikan High School being denied membership in Region V in the 2021-2022 school year,” the letter reads.
One case was reported on the Sitka High wrestling squad following the tournament, and subsequent virus precautions shut down baseball, softball, and track and field events scheduled for the first weekend in May.
Kayhi intends to return to blended learning with half of the student body in physical classrooms next week, Paxton added.
As virus cases spiral in Ketchikan, she said, there are outbreaks beyond the high school as well.
“A lot of those are still under investigation. What I can tell you is there’s more than just the high school cluster happening,” she said.
In a follow up email, Paxton said that between seven and nine percent of Kayhi’s 556-strong student body are presently quarantined. That’s between 38 and 50 students.
Over the past fortnight, Ketchikan has witnessed 49 virus cases, 18 of which were linked to Kayhi, she wrote.
