Tag: ruralcovid
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.
With emergency declaration set to end, Bethel leaders fear airport testing program could be shut down
In a private conversation Bethel Mayor Michelle DeWitt urged Gov. Mike Dunleavy to extend the disaster declaration so that the city could keep testing arriving passengers, as a surge in COVID-19 cases rocks the region.
Nunapitchuk turns to tradition after COVID-19 outbreak
The village of Nunapitchuk went into strict lockdown after it discovered positive cases, but also used traditional medicine.
Amid raging COVID-19 outbreak, most Y-K villages give up privacy for safety
The state of Alaska doesn't release the names of villages with a population under 1000, but regional health authorities hope that naming the villages will help encourage people to take more precautions.
‘A wake up call’ COVID-19 cases in Maniilaq service area doubled in October
Residents of Kotzebue made up a large majority of the cases, with 96 residents testing positive. The villages of Buckland and Noatak also saw spikes.
Canada’s relaxes COVID-19 border rules for Alaskans in Hyder
The Southeast Alaska town’s only road out runs through British Columbia and since March, its residents hadn't been allowed to cross the border.
Due to national shortage, health workers in Western Alaska are forced to reuse gloves
Workers are wearing the same gloves for up to six patients and sanitizing the gloves with alcohol-based hand sanitizer between patients.
Without running water, Stebbins improvises sanitation amid COVID-19 outbreak
With hand washing stations made from buckets and locally-made bleach, communities are doing the best they can to cope with coronavirus cases.