Chevak is the latest village with evidence of COVID-19 “community spread,” according to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation. The announcement was made jointly with the Chevak Native Village and the City of Chevak in order to warn the public.
YKHC made the determination of “community spread” on Oct. 16, following three recent COVID-19 cases in the village that cannot be linked to travel at this time. YKHC’s contact tracing team is continuing case investigations.
An announcement of community spread in another village, Toksook Bay, came just one day earlier. To date, YKHC has determined community spread in six Y-K Delta communities: Chevak, Toksook Bay, Quinhagak, Bethel, Nunapitchuk, and Napaskiak. But two are now off the list, as YKHC has said that community spread is no longer present in Nunapitchuk and Napaskiak.
“Now, more than ever, it is essential the public practice protective measures,” YKHC said in its press release. Those measures include wearing a mask in public, maintaining a small social circle, avoiding non-essential travel, opting for free COVID-19 testing upon arrival from out-of-region at the Bethel, St. Mary’s, and Aniak airports, practicing regular handwashing, and frequently disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your home.
There are 89 active cases of COVID-19 in the region. In the month of October, YKHC has announced 153 new cases.
