By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The state Section of Epidemiology will continue to evaluate Sitka’s confirmed COVID-19 case announced on Saturday, the public health nurse said today.
“Epidemiology is continuing to evaluate this case but it remains to be ‘positive,’” Public Health Nurse Denise Ewing said today. “He did test positive, followed up by three subsequent negative tests. We do keep that count as: Sitka has had one positive case.”
Last Saturday, local health authorities announced Sitka’s first COVID case after a positive test result came in on a resident of SEARHC’s Long-Term Care facility at the old Sitka Community Hospital building. Additional tests on the same resident during the past week turned up “negative.”
The patient was placed in isolation at the Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center after the positive test result.
No official information was available to the Sentinel today on whether a final test had been performed on the patient, and whether, if it was negative, he has been released from the hospital.
A news release this afternoon from the Sitka COVID-19 Unified Command, and headed “Update Sitka COVID-19 Case,” shed no light on that question, but stated:
“Sitka’s Public Health Nurse reports the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Epidemiology Section is continuing to evaluate this case and reminds the public that this remains a positive case for Sitka.”
The positive test was returned after SEARHC tested all 15 residents in the Long-Term Care facility, in line with its policy to test Sitka’s most vulnerable populations. All staff and care providers at the facility also were tested, and the state public health nurse did “contact tracing” to test anyone in contact with the resident who tested positive. Those tests were all negative.
At last report, the long-term care resident still has no symptoms of COVID, and the state Department of Health and Social Services lists no other positive tests for Sitka.
“You have a positive test and that positive test remains a positive,” Ewing said today. “Whether it be a false positive or not, that’s speculative. ... He did test positive so there will remain, Sitka has a positive.”
Ewing said the work Sitka has done – and continues to do – to prevent and slow the spread of the virus, is so far paying off. She encouraged citizens to keep following precautions, such as wearing face coverings in public, washing hands, and social distancing.
“Everything was done very well, and people should continue to do what they’re doing to mitigate, as far as having more cases,” she said. “It’s very likely we will, as people start traveling, or letting their guard down. We can’t go back to the way it was. We have to remember that going forward, for the foreseeable future, that this is the new normal.”
SEARHC has a COVID hotline for questions about testing or other COVID issues: 966-8799.
Today’s Unified Command news release repeated admonitions to the public to heed state and local mandates.
“Sitka’s local ‘hunker down’ resolution is in effect through May 12. Emergency Ordinance 2020-14 requiring all people arriving in Sitka, whether by vessel or aircraft, to self-quarantine for 14 days is in effect until the State of Alaska rescinds Health Mandate 10,” the news release said.
Sitka Fire Chief Dave Miller praised the response by EMTs and SEARHC employees in the transport of the patient to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center after the positive test result.
“Both the Sitka Fire Department and MEMC personnel are highly prepared for a call of this nature,” he said in today’s announcement.
Other advice in today’s update:
“– Get your flu shot. The flu shot will not prevent COVID-19 but will help prevent you from getting sick and reduce the workload on the healthcare system.
“– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
“– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your elbow.
“– Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g. tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water
“– Wear a face covering, in particular in public settings. For more information on cloth face coverings visit http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/coveryourface.aspx
“Residents are encouraged to prepare for any local emergency by ensuring each family member has a 14-day emergency supply kit, including any necessary medications.”
