Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, announced three new positive COVID-19 tests during a press conference on Wednesday. Two are from Anchorage and one from Seward, that being the first on the Kenai Peninsula.
City of Seward officials, in conjunction with local healthcare representatives, announced Wednesday, there has been one positive test confirmed for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The individual had been traveling out of the country, and self-reported and self-isolated when mild symptoms appeared. The State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services is currently interviewing the individual and contacting people who may have had interactions with the individual.
According to Dr. Zink, the age of the patient out of Seward is described being in their 20s, while the two new positive cases out of Anchorage are described as older patients.
Each of the new three positive tests are travel-related.
Dr. Zink says that the state is pushing hard for social mitigation largely because Alaska has a limited capacity for patients, such as ventilators, staff, and testing facilities.
Healthcare officials in Seward have reported they have adequate resources to address the current situation, but stress that it is important to call ahead if you think you need to be seen by a healthcare provider.
Alaska’s total number of cases now stands at one in Seward, four in Anchorage, three in Fairbanks, and one in Ketchikan.
This is a developing story. More details will be posted as they are made available.
