Tag: ruralcovid
COVID-19 outbreak grows at remote Aleutian fish plant
At least 15 people considered at "high-risk" from COVID-19 are being moved by ship to Unalaska, state health officials said. Two more were evacuated to an
Anchorage hospital.
COVID-19 closes a third Aleutian plant, stranding Bering Sea fishermen at the dock
In the Aleutian port town of Unalaska, at least five local boats are stuck at the dock with nowhere to deliver their cod after the shutdown of the Alyeska Seafoods processing plant. One has a load of fish worth at least $10,000.
‘Everybody’s worst nightmare’: Bering Sea fishermen on edge after COVID-19 closes second plant
The winter fishery for Bering Sea pollock, which goes into products like McDonald's fish sandwiches, officially opened Wednesday. But two of the region's largest processors are both shut down
After Y-K Delta tribal police officer dies from COVID-19, flyover gives family final goodbye
David Aqvang Evon was to be buried in Kongiganak, a burial which his family in Akiachak couldn’t attend because of travel restrictions. That forced his family to come up with their own way to say goodbye.
Y-K Delta health corporation recommends regional lockdown for third straight month
The region has recorded the highest COVID-19 rates in the state for months.
Southwest Alaska villages open vaccinations for general public
Officials say everyone above the age of 16 years old will be eligible for the vaccine, after many people in the region declined to be vaccinated.
Ketchikan school superintendent on leave after husband’s death from COVID-19
Beth Lougee's husband, David Lougee, a superintendent of a school district in Southwest Alaska, recently died due to COVID-19.
Project Togo: “Light on the horizon” as Y-K Delta plans first distribution of COVID-19 vaccine
Some priority residents of Y-K Delta villages, which have been hard hit by the coronavirus, will have bear their arms at the airport, likely in freezing conditions, to receive their vaccines.
State Department of Corrections announces third inmate death due to COVID-19
Three people serving time in Alaska's prison system have now died because of COVID-19. Twenty-one inmates are currently hospitalized, and more than 1,000 of the 4,500 people incarcerated in Alaska have tested positive.
Here’s what it’s like to be medevaced to Anchorage from rural Alaska with COVID-19
Bethel elder Esther Green was flown 400 miles to Anchorage with COVID-19 and pneumonia. No one from her family was able to accompany her — and they couldn't reach her for more than 14 days afterward.
Hope, hesitancy as first vaccine shipments grow near for Alaska
Providers charged with giving the vaccine say they’re eager to use the first doses to protect their front-line workers. But they also say workers are hesitant about being among the first to receive doses on a nationwide scale, and add that the first shipment will do little to ease the current demands of the pandemic.
More Haines residents prepared to evacuate as weather deteriorates
Haines’ high school gym has been converted into an evacuation center. It has enough cots for 50 people in it, but no one has moved in yet.
During season’s final trip, all but one of Bering Sea trawl crew tests positive for COVID-19
While wrapping up their season fishing for Pacific Ocean perch in the Bering Sea, nearly the entire crew of a United States Seafoods trawler tested positive for COVID-19.
After COVID-19 closes post offices for weeks, Western Alaskans suffer critical mail delays
The post offices in Kwethluk and Pilot Station have been closed for weeks because employees were infected with COVID-19, delaying shipments of essential medicines and supplies.
Unalaska enters 2-week ‘hunker down’
The order follows two cases of confirmed community spread in the Aleutian community
After ‘potential widespread exposure,’ Unalaska closes schools and considers lockdown
City officials confirmed two new COVID-19 cases through community spread on Monday, and said there’s “potential widespread exposure” to the virus in the community.
Unable to reach hospital because of weather, Pilot Station man dies of COVID-19
A 37-year-old man in Pilot Station died from COVID-19 at the village health clinic before he could be transported to a hospital. Stormy conditions prevented a medevac from reaching him.
City of Kotzebue begins mask mandate and new testing requirements
The city is instituting a mandatory mask mandate for anyone who leaves their residence. Violators are subject to a warning, with police issuing fines for subsequent violations.
Y-K health center recommends month-long lockdown for region
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta’s health corporation warns that the region’s rising COVID-19 surge could soon overwhelm the local health care system.
Utqiagvik passes unique punishment for violators of COVID rules
Rule breakers are required to produce a public service announcement about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.