Tribal Emergency Operations Center: 8.24.20 Update on COVID-19

Providing current news on the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) to protect the safety and well-being of Tlingit & Haida's citizens, clients, employees and communities.

CONTACT:

Tribal Emergency Operations Center (TEOC)

907.463.7368 ∙ communications@ccthita-nsn.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2020

Tlingit & Haida is committed to providing current information on the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to ensure all tribal citizens remain informed and have the resources needed to stay safe. Below is a brief update from Tlingit & Haida’s Tribal Emergency Operations Center.

The total number of positive COVID-19 cases in Alaska as of yesterday is 5,628, including 71 new resident cases and 1 new non-resident case reported. Of these cases, 3,295 are under investigation, 429 individuals had a recent history of travel and 1,904 were close contact, community or unknown. There has been a total of 1,861 statewide recoveries, 206 hospitalizations and 32 deaths. To view Southeast Alaska resident and non-resident cases, case counts by high tribal citizen populations, and U.S. breakdowns, see below.

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever with symptoms, such as a cough or difficulty breathing, contact your local healthcare provider for medical advice.

*The Alaska COVID-19 data is derived from the Alaska Coronavirus Response Hub developed by the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Alaska resident cases are reported by place of resident, and includes Alaskan residents diagnosed and isolated out-of-state. Non-resident cases are reported by place of diagnosis. Communities with fewer than 1,000 residents are combined at the borough/census area level to protect patient privacy. Counts by residency status and place are subject to change as additional information is collected during case investigations. Source: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

SOUTHEAST ALASKA RESIDENT CASES

Southeast AK Resident Cases by Community:

There are 289 confirmed resident cases in Southeast Alaska. Of these cases, 162 are active, 125 have recovered and 2 deaths have been recorded.

Haines Borough: 5 (4 recovered, 1 active)
Juneau City & Borough: 163 (66 recovered, 96 active, 1 death)
Ketchikan Gateway Borough: 42 (27 recovered, 15 active)
Petersburg Borough: 7 (5 recovered, 1 active, 1 death)
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area:
Craig 3 (2 recovered, 1 active)
Metlakatka 2 (2 active)
Other 15 (1 recovered, 14 active)
Sitka City & Borough: 34 (14 recovered, 20 active)
Wrangell City & Borough: 9 (3 recovered, 6 active)
Yakutat-Hoonah-Angoon: 9 (3 recovered, 6 active)

NON-RESIDENT CASES IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Non-Resident Cases in Southeast Alaska by Community:

There are 130 confirmed non-resident cases in Southeast Alaska. Of these cases, 98 are active and 32 have recovered.

Haines Borough: 5 (5 active)
Juneau City & Borough: 81 (13 recovered, 68 active)
Ketchikan Gateway Borough: 16 (8 recovered, 8 active)
Petersburg Borough: 5 (1 recovered, 4 active)
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area:
Craig 1 (1 recovered)
Sitka City & Borough: 13 (4 recovered, 9 active)
Wrangell City & Borough: 6 (4 recovered, 2 active)
Yakutat-Hoonah-Angoon: 3 (1 recovered, 2 active)

CASE COUNTS BY HIGH TRIBAL CITIZEN POPULATIONS

Case Count by States with High Tribal Citizen Populations:

The following are statistics for California and Washington states where a large population of Tlingit & Haida's tribal citizens reside.

California*:

Confirmed Cases: 673,678
Deaths: 12,198

*Reported by the Los Angeles Times as of

3:16 PM (PST) on August 24, 2020.

Washington*:

Confirmed Cases: 71,371
Deaths: 1,867

*Reported by Washington State Department of Health as of 11:59 PM (PST) on August 23, 2020.

UNITED STATES CASE COUNT UPDATE

United States COVID-19 Cases:

Total Confirmed: 5,735,771*
Total Recovered: 1,997,782*
Total Deaths: 177,179*
Jurisdictions reporting cases: 55 (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands)

*United States COVID-19 data is derived from an interactive dashboard developed by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at John Hopkins University that tracks the COVID-19 spread in

real-time. Data was pulled at 2:28:02 PM AKDT on August 24, 2020.

SAFETY TIP

Can I Still Visit the Doctor or Hospital?

During these times, hospitals and clinics are very busy conducting tests for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). If you are in need of non-emergency medical care, consider a virtual visit with your health care provider to streamline the process.

Telehealth allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients using technology such as video conferencing and smartphones without the need for an in-person visit. It can also be used for non-clinical services such as preventative, educational, and health-related administrative activities.

Telehealth services are not only are crucial to slowing the spread of the Coronavirus and keeping our essential health care providers safe and healthy, it allows our tribal citizens to gain access to quality health care providers and specialists while remaining in their home community and without have to venture out into the public.

RECENT NEWS & ALERTS

At Least One Alaska Airlines Employee at the Juneau Airport Tested Positive for COVID-19 — Two Alaska Airlines employees who work at the Juneau airport tested positive for COVID-19 in early August according to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the workers union that represents the company’s ground employees. (KTOO)
Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 66 New Cases Reported Sunday and 1 New Death — Alaska reported 66 new cases of COVID-19 in residents on Sunday and one new death. No new cases were reported in non-residents. (Anchorage Daily News)
Young Votes to Protect Alaska’s Bypass Mail, But Bill Likely Won’t Go Far — Alaska Congressman Don Young voted this weekend for a Democratic bill to prohibit changes to the U.S. Postal Service that would slow delivery. (Alaska Public Media)
Alaska Tribal Groups Oppose State’s Lawsuit Against Feds Over Hunting During Pandemic — Alaska tribal governments and organizations have asked the state to withdraw a lawsuit alleging a federal agency overstepped its authority by granting an Alaska Native village a special hunting permission during the coronavirus pandemic. (Anchorage Daily News)
Hong Kong Man 'First Case' Documented of Getting Coronavirus Twice, Researchers Say — A 33-year-old man living in Hong Kong had Covid-19 twice this year, according to preliminary research. (CNN)
US FDA Announces Emergency Authorization for Convalescent Plasma to Treat Covid-19 — The US Food and Drug Administration on Sunday issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma to treat Covid-19, saying the "known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product." (CNN)
Global Stocks Rally on Potential Coronavirus Treatment — FDA’s emergency-use approval of convalescent plasma prompts increased appetite for risky assets, putting S&P 500 index on track to hit a record high. (Fox Business)
Blood Pressure Medication May Reduce Coronavirus-Related Deaths, Severity of Illness: Study — Certain high blood pressure medications may help reduce the severity of disease and mortality rates for those infected with the novel coronavirus, according to a new study published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports. (Fox News)

COVID-19 RESOURCES

It is imperative that our tribal citizens continue to hunker down and shelter in place, follow federal, state, tribal and local health mandates, and stay informed on the COVID-19 pandemic to keep ourselves and our families safe.

Tlingit & Haida's Tribal Emergency Operations Center (TEOC)

The Tribal Emergency Operations Center (TEOC) was created to enable Tlingit & Haida to provide timely, integrated, and coordinated responses to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that addresses the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The activation of the TEOC is not due to any identified cases within the Tribe. All actions are aimed at protecting the safety and well-being of Tlingit & Haida’s citizens, clients, employees and communities.