As the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Alaska grows by the day, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation is preparing to respond to cases in the Y-K Delta. The health corporation serves about 58 communities, all of which are off the road system. KYUK will continue to update this post with additional information about YKHC's response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Testing
YKHC is offering voluntary COVID-19 testing to all Alaska Airlines passengers flying in from Anchorage in the parking lot outside the Bethel Terminal. You don’t have to have symptoms to be tested. YKHC is also offering free testing to travelersat the airports in Aniak and St. Mary's.
YKHC is offering free testing at the Bethel Hospital parkinglot every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. No appointment is needed.
As of April 14th YKHC has administered over 200 COVID-19 tests. Only one individual as tested positive. On April 7th, Alaska Native Health Corporation sent YKHC four rapid test machines that produce same day results. Each came with 60 tests.
YKHC is expanding their testing criteria. It will now test anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms at the discretion of the health care provider.
YKHC has introduced drive-through coronavirus testing in Bethel. Infection Control Officer Dr. Elizabeth Bates says that the outdoor environment is safer for collecting samples than inside the hospital. The samples are currently sent out to Anchorage or out of state to be tested, which takes about five to seven days, but YKHC is working on the capability to process tests on-site to reduce the wait time.
Capacity
YKHC has recently created eight Higher Acuity Beds. A few months ago, it had none. It has also expanded the number of inpatient beds from 26 to 45. The hospital has five ventilators.
Personal Protective Equipment
YKHC is asking the community to help sew masks for its healthcare workers, and is supplying kits with medical-grade materials. The masks will be sterilized before use. YKHC is also accepting donations of unused N-95 masks. YKHC aims to produce 4,000 masks to send to village clinics.
Staff Travel and Remote Working Policies
Any employee who returns from travel outside of the Y-K Delta will be required to quarantine for 14 days before returning to work. YKHC has also suspended all out-of-region business travel. On March 19, all essential and nonessential personnel were told they could begin working from home.
Visitation Policies
Visitors are banned from the Elder’s Home, and staff will coordinate family phone and video calls with residents instead. Visitors are also not allowed in isolation rooms, critical care rooms, or the emergency department. YKHC’s full visitation policy during the COVID-19 outbreak can be found by clicking here.
Suspended Procedures
A state mandate has banned elective health procedures until the end of June to preserve personal protective equipment. YKHC had already suspended elective oral and eye care.
Health Aide Capacity
YKHC Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges says that the organization is prepared to shift resources and staff to help village clinics that need assistance.
Appointments
YKHC Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges says that people need to call ahead if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, such as a fever or a dry cough. Hodges says that this applies to village clinics as well. Bethel’s nurse triage line is 907-543-6949, and people in villages should call their own clinic.
YKHC is providing medical appointments via video or phone call. Patients can now access medical care from their homes. Almost all outpatient appointments can be conducted through “telecare.”
If you have any questions about how YKHC is preparing for COVID-19 in the Y-K Delta, please email them to news@kyuk.org.