By Sentinel Staff
Sitka has had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections so far, but City Administrator John Leach and local health care leaders issued a statement today emphasizing the importance of following state and federal recommendations and mandates as preventative measures.
“It’s crucial that the community follows state and local health mandates for the good of the community,” Leach said in a statement issued jointly with officials of the local health care provider SEARHC.
“Protect your neighbor and most importantly stay healthy,” Leach said.
A “Unified Command Structure” has been set up at the fire hall, where government, health care agencies and emergency responders met this week to coordinate the Sitka response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The city is providing daily updates on coronavirus at cityofsitka.org, which also has links to Centers for Disease Control, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and the SEARHC information website, covid19.searhc.org/.
SEARHC has opened a drive-up testing site in the parking lot of the old Sitka Community Hospital, open weekdays.
“By opening an alternate screening site, we are increasing levels of safety for both patients and staff,” SEARHC chief medical officer Dr. Elliot Bruhl said.
Advance authorization for having a test is required, by calling 966-8799. This is also the local COVID-19 hotline number, and the after-hours number is 1-800-613-0560.
The state Department of Health and Social Services said in its 12:30 p.m. daily coronavirus report that there are 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in Alaska, four in Anchorage, five in Fairbanks, two in Ketchikan and one in Seward.
Shortly after the DHSS announcement the Ketchikan Gateway Borough announced that a third case in Ketchikan has been confirmed.
