Tag: coronavirus

People in gloves and smocks take the bones out of fish.

Juneau processor sanitized, screened, quarantined but COVID-19 still got in

Health officials who investigated the case say it resulted from community spread — not from inside the plant.

Seafood processor outbreaks drive coronavirus count to one-day high

Alaska again set a one-day record for new coronavirus cases, with 231 reported on Sunday, according to the state’s coronavirus dashboard.  Of those, 158 were...

Despite months of aggressive measures, Fort Yukon reports 21 cases of COVID-19

The community has been in lockdown since March, and the cases only resulted from a false positive of a resident who had been flown to Fairbanks.
Fish fillets slide down a stainless steel slide in a processing pllant as a worker inspects in the background.

Seafood companies kept COVID-19 from infecting Alaskans. Now they’re trying to keep the virus out of their plants.

At the start of the pandemic, fishing towns feared that seasonal workers could import the virus and infect locals. Now, as infection rates rise among residents, the dynamic has reversed: Seafood processing companies are trying to keep locals from infecting workers in their plants.

As extra unemployment runs out, Food Bank of Alaska braces for elevated need to grow

The food bank estimates that the need for food assistance is up about 75% statewide compared to last year.

Yakutat sees first case of COVID-19

The person had recently traveled outside of the community.
A white man gestures at a podium

Dunleavy announces new health mandates

Dunleavy announced that state employees will be required to wear masks.

Anchorage School District postpones start of fall sports until at least Aug. 5

The announcement comes as the Anchorage mayor reinstates limitations on bars, restaurants and other businesses.

Outbreak at Seward salmon processing plant grows to 96, state says

The plant has about 260 workers, who are a mix of residents and nonresidents, according to Scott Meszaros, Seward's city manager. He said 90 employees have been tested so far, and that more positives are expected as the remainder of the workers are tested.
COVIDChart

Additional actions needed, state warns, or ‘cases are expected to continue to rise rapidly’

The state stepped up warnings about Alaska's spike in COVID-19 cases in its weekly summary Tuesday, saying that without more compliance with masking and social distancing, the case count will continue to rise quickly.
Boats in a sweeping bend in a river

Alaska fishing communities feared COVID-19 contagion from industry. It hasn’t shown up.

As the Bristol Bay salmon season winds down, seafood company executives and public health authorities point to a remarkable fact: The industry has succeeded in keeping its seasonal workers and fishermen from infecting Alaska residents.
a woman stands at a podium

Anchorage Schools superintendent says ‘high probability’ students will attend all classes online next month

COVID-19 cases are surging in the Municipality of Anchorage, prompting the state’s largest school district to likely pivot to a “high risk” plan for schools.
Seattle-based American Seafoods

COVID-19 outbreaks among seafood workers help push Alaska’s one-day case count to new record high

Also, over the past several days, three Anchorage restaurants and a local bar have announced infections and temporary closures.

A fishing boat docked in Dutch Harbor with 85 COVID-19 cases. Now it’s headed for Seward.

The 34 crew members who tested negative will be flown to Anchorage on chartered planes. Those who tested positive will remain on the boat, which will sail to Seward, then be transported to Anchorage.
People in gloves and smocks take the bones out of fish.

Alaska has another record-high COVID-19 count with dozens of cases among seafood workers

36 new cases were reported among nonresident seafood workers in the West Aleutians Census Area, as well as 26 cases at a Juneau processor.
AK Doctors

Should I dipnet? Or open the mail? Here’s how Zink and 5 other Alaska health experts manage COVID-19 risks in their daily lives

You probably know that health officials have warned about going to parties and bars. But how risky is hiking or dipnetting? How about ordering takeout? Should I send my kids to daycare? Alaska Public Media recruited six local experts to tell us how they answer those questions for their own families.
A woman dressed in a white lab coat stands in front of a table. Another woman with protective gear stands in a dooray befhind her.

Another Alaskan dies as the state announces 78 new COVID-19 cases

The woman who died was in her 50s and had pre-existing conditions according to state health officials. She is the 18th Alaskan to have died with COVID-19.
People in gloves and smocks take the bones out of fish.

COVID-19 infects 9 workers at Juneau seafood processor

The cases are associated with Alaska Glacier Seafoods
A square building with red bottom

Alaska Psychiatric Institute has its first COVID-19 case

The employee became sick last Wednesday and took a COVID-19 test.

Fred Meyer, CVS, Target join list of retailers requiring face masks

A number of major retailers with locations in Alaska will soon require customers to wear face coverings in stores.