One new case of COVID-19 confirmed in Juneau

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has reported another confirmed case of COVID-19 in Juneau. The source of the virus is pending investigation.

Juneau has had 12 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of those cases, two were travel related (one out of state travel, one in-state), two are pending investigation, and DHSS categorizes eight as local. For cases acquired locally, the state includes both secondary transmission from a known case (which the state was previously calling “close contact”) and community transmission with no identified source case. In Juneau, no cases yet have reportedly resulted from community transmission.

Though DHSS started reporting confirmed COVID-19 cases in Juneau on March 22, those cases started showing symptoms as early as March 10. As part of its new way of reporting data, the State of Alaska shows laboratory confirmed cases “by report, onset, or diagnosis date — whichever is earliest.” For any confirmed case, significant lag time exists — from the time of infection to onset of symptoms, then from symptoms to being tested, and lastly, the time for the result to come back.

CBJ is coordinating closely with DHSS. Officials with the state Division of Public Health have initiated a contact investigation with this recent case and will reach out to any person who may have come into contact with this individual. Public Health will notify and isolate additional persons as appropriate.

Yesterday, the state issued a Health Alert recommending Alaskans wear a cloth face covering over the nose and mouth in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) and to not remove the face covering until you return home. Read the full guidance for details. In accordance with the Juneau Assembly’s Hunker Down resolution and State of Alaska’s Health Mandate 11, Juneau residents are required to stay at home as much as possible.

For local news, information, and resources to help keep Juneau safe and healthy, go to juneau.org/covid-19. Find local FAQs, recent Assembly actions regarding COVID-19, and resources for assistance.