More COVID-19 cases in Kivalina, as some area schools reopen January 21st |
Schools across Northern Alaska returned from winter break this week, but not all students will be returning to the classroom. As some communities see COVID-19 cases continue to spike, schools move into red, high-risk zones, requiring distance education to curb community spread.
Between Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, 14 residents of Kivalina tested positive for COVID-19, with one case from a resident of Noatak, one case from a Buckland resident and another from Ambler. Kivalina has seen a recent spike in case numbers, with nearly 70 residents testing positive since the new year. The cases in Kivalina are considered mild and connected to previously known cases, according to a Jan. 16 Maniilaq press release. The Noatak resident tested positive in Kivalina, and is currently in isolation there.
Positivity rate for coronavirus remains high in the Arctic December 24th, 2020 |
Over the last week on the North Slope, there were 89 reported new cases of COVID-19, three hospitalizations and one death due to the virus, according the Arctic Slope Native Association.
That brings the total number of hospitalizations to date to 28, and deaths to three. Active cases on the Slope hover above 100 a new normal for the month of December at 141, ASNA reported on Dec. 21.
The seven-day positivity rate on the Slope reached a fever pitch last week, with close to 10% of the population receiving tests coming back positive. That spike was likely due to holdover from Thanksgiving gatherings, according to health department Director Glenn Sheehan.