Three of the cases are in Dillingham proper, and the other five are in surrounding villages. The Camai Community Health Center announced Wednesday that there were no active cases of COVID-19 Bristol Bay Borough.
Eight people tested positive for COVID-19 in the Dillingham Census Area last week, according to the Bristol Bay Area Health Association. Three of the cases are in Dillingham proper, the other five are in surrounding villages. There are now seven active cases of COVID-19 in Dillingham. All those who tested positive are in isolation and the members of their households are in quarantine.
Two people tested positive last Monday and six more positive cases were announced between Thursday and Friday.
Two cases are travel-related, three are close contacts, and three are suspected to be community spread. Community spread means the origin of infection is unknown. If you are informed of being a close contact of a positive case, BBAHC asks you to call the hotline — (907) 842-9440.
There have been two deaths in the region known to be related to COVID-19 complications.
Kanakanak Hospital in Dillingham is a critical-access facility. It does not have any intensive care units or ventilators. The hospital has only 16 in-house units that provide oxygen.
If a patient requires a ventilator, they will likely be medevaced to Anchorage or Seattle. But Anchorage hospitals are nearly at capacity — as of Friday there are just five ICU beds left in the city.
In Dillingham, testing is available from 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily at the Capstone clinic by the Dillingham airport. Anyone experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms can get tested at the hospital. To schedule a screening, call 907-842-9440.
Bristol Bay Borough
The Camai Community Health Center announced Wednesday that there were no active cases of COVID-19 in the Bristol Bay Borough.
People in the borough can get tested at the Camai Community Health Clinic’s Leader Creek testing site on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. In other communities, rapid tests are available at village clinics.
If you are in the Bristol Bay Borough and are sick or suspect that you may be infected, you should remain at home and contact the Camai clinic at (907) 246-6155.
Contact the author at brian@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200.