Health

In the wake of the recent reversal of Roe vs. Wade, abortion remains legal in Alaska and is protected by the state constitution’s right to privacy. But, that doesn’t mean it’s available across the state. In Bristol Bay, patients seeking abortions have always faced obstacles to care.

The Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation has broken ground on several construction projects at Kanakanak Hospital, which cost an estimated $3.8 million and have been in the works since 2019.

There’s been a sharp uptick of COVID cases in Bristol Bay since June 22. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services recorded 14 new cases in the Dillingham census area and 77 new cases in the Bristol Bay plus Lake and Peninsula boroughs.

State and local health officials are ramping up efforts to combat opioid overdose deaths. In the Bristol Bay area, local clinics in Naknek and Dillingham are handing out emergency kits that include the lifesaving overdose-reversal drug naloxone. They’re urging the public to have one on hand just in case, in hopes of preventing untimely deaths.

Where to find COVID testing, vaccines and boosters in Naknek and Dillingham

The restrictions are expected to last a week longer than originally announced. Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation will divert patients who need acute treatment to other facilities in the state. Emergency and routine care is still available at the hospital.

At a recent health care panel, officials laid out how the COVID situation has changed in one of the region’s fishing industry hubs, and what health care providers recommend for people around the region heading into the summer.

Dillingham currently falls under a “medium” COVID risk level. In medium risk areas, the CDC recommends masks for people who are immunocompromised or at high risk of serious disease, or who live or interact with someone who is high risk.

The health corporation said it believes it has met its “goals and criteria” to dismantle the Incident Command team. In the Dillingham Census Area, the state has reported 86 confirmed cases so far this month.

It was one of 57 deaths the state reported Friday. The state said in an announcement that one of those deaths was recent, while the rest were identified…