“We're still in the more than 50 cases in the previous seven days. That automatically puts us in the medium-risk level,” explained YKHC Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges. “There is no low risk level for if you have 50 or more cases in our region."
Hospitalizations in the region are on the rise, but "that's something that happens after the peak of any outbreak," according to YKHC's Dr. Ellen Hodges. "Our hospitalizations do continue for a while because hospitalizations and deaths are lagging indicators, meaning they come after the peak of cases when our vulnerable patients can be hospitalized and die."
Feb. 19 marks the first day the City of Bethel has been without a public mask mandate in a year and a half. Under the new rules, most public-facing businesses no longer have to require employees and visitors to wear masks.
“If we choose not to wear masks, you could be taking away someone else's choice to be able to go do things like go to school, or go to the post office, or go to the store,” YKHC's Brian Lefferts said. “So choosing to wear masks as a community is a way that we can all come together in solidarity."
The Bethel City Council voted to strike down its mask mandate, its testing and quarantine mandate, and its measure that prevents water shutoff for people who can’t pay their bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re all set to expire on Feb. 18.