Juneau coronavirus patient is in critical care, the first Alaskan hospitalized with the virus

Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. (Photo by Lisa Phu, KTOO – Juneau)

A patient with COVID-19 is currently in the critical care unit at Bartlett Regional Hospital. 

This is Juneau’s second confirmed case of the virus. The city announced on Sunday that another person had tested positive for the disease and is recovering at home.

This is the first case of hospitalization related to coronavirus in Alaska. In a press conference Monday, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said all patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recovering at home. 

Related: Alaska leaders have taken drastic measures to slow the coronavirus. The ‘$1 million question’ is whether they’re enough.

State health officials say both of the people in Juneau who are sick appear to have caught the virus while traveling. According to a release from the City and Borough of Juneau, the second patient recently visited Portland and Washington state. 

State and local health officials are working with the latest patient’s family to track down people who may have recently come into contact with the patient. 

As of this Tuesday afternoon, 39 people in Alaska across 8 communities have tested positive for the virus.

Follow our continuing coverage of coronavirus in Alaska.

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