By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
As the tourism season gets into full swing – and the risk level here shifts from “low” to “moderate” – Sitka’s fire chief and incident commander Craig Warren hopes residents and visitors continue to follow precautions.
“Do I have concerns? Yes, I do,” he said. “This is not over.”
(Warren spoke to the Sentinel before receiving the news today of a possible cruise ship season. See story, this page.)
Warren noted that Sitka appears to be achieving its goal of “flattening the curve,” but a number of positive tests are coming in, and a high percentage are attributed to “travel.”
Two more resident cases, and one nonresident, were added to Sitka’s dashboard today. The additional two resident cases led to the move from “low” to “moderate” risk, with a 14-day rolling average of .5 cases per day.
Contract tracing was still ongoing for two of the most recent cases, but at least six of the last 12 positive tests are attributed to “travel.” Fewer are attributed to “secondary” and “community spread.”
Cases attributed to travel are those who were outside of Alaska during some or all of their exposure period in a location “with known COVID-19 cases.”
Health Advisory No. 2 from the state clarifies that the state does not require testing for travelers entering the state, but recommends nonvaccinated travelers test prior to travel or take the free and optional tests at “primary points of entry.” That includes the Sitka airport.
The state advisory says fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get tested before or after travel, or to self quarantine.
But the state under the Safe Travels website recommends pre-travel and airport testing for nonvaccinated travelers as “the best way to limit the spread of COVID-19.”
“That’s my concern,” Warren said. He’s the incident commander for the city Emergency Operations Center for the pandemic.
Last summer, the state required pre-travel testing, testing upon arrival, an exemption, or quarantining.
Some five months after the availability of the vaccine here, the number being tested at the airport is currently low, for both residents and nonresidents.
For the most recent week posted, May 5-12, the number tested ranged from 0 to 12 among the up to 150 arriving at the Sitka airport.
Warren agrees with the state’s recommendation for testing, and said he recommends those vaccinated get tested as well at the airport.
“I encourage testing no matter what your vaccination status is,” he said. “We know that one in 20 can still get COVID even after vaccination - there is 95 percent efficacy; that means one in 20 can get it.”
Warren said he would encourage everyone to get vaccinated, because it’s been shown to be effective in preventing both the spread and the severity of the illness.
“Please get vaccinated,” he said. “The severe cases are limited by being vaccinated; and the spread is limited by being vaccinated.”
Warren said he’s concerned for the safety of those not vaccinated, because they’re too young, not medically able to be vaccinated, or choose not to be vaccinated. Testing at the airport will help continue to “flatten the curve,” since so many cases are attributed to travel, he said.
“I understand – we get off the plane, and we want to go home, pet our animals and get back to normal,” the chief said. “I would prefer they take 10 minutes, take the test, and be assured we’re coming back healthy. ... Take your vacation, relax and recoup, visit family and do our best to be as safe as we can.”
