The Haines Borough is providing free rapid at-home testing kits, which are considered about 80% effective. If you test positive with an at-home test, officials recommend verifying with a PCR at the SEARHC clinic, which are more accurate and important to be a part of the official count (Corinne Smith/KHNS)

COVID is continuing to surge in Haines, with the state reporting at least 55 new cases in the last week, and at least 87 cases over the last two weeks, from January 22, to February 4. KHNS’ Corinne Smith checked in with the Haines emergency operations incident commander Carolann Wooten for the latest on the situation.

As of January 31, Haines has been averaging 10 new COVID-19 cases each day. 

The steady community spread of the coronavirus is due to the highly transmissible omicron variant which public health authorities say makes up  nearly all of the cases in Alaska. 

Haines EOC commander Carolann Wooten says despite the COVID surge, the health guidance is the same: wear a mask and social distance when possible.

“The situation’s changing, but the guidance really hasn’t changed,” Wooten said. “The guidance is, you know, get vaccinated, if that’s within your will and ability to do so. Get vaccinated. It’s still probably the best way to protect yourself.”

State public health reports that 74 percent of eligible Haines residents have had at least one dose of the vaccine. But only 35 percent have received a booster to be considered fully vaccinated. Wooten says although Haines has seen breakthrough cases with vaccinated people contracting the virus, the vaccine prevents serious illness and hospitalization.

“Statistics that I see show that overwhelmingly people being hospitalized and dying with this Omicron variant are unvaccinated,” she said. “I’m sorry, that’s just it. Not a popular stance in some places. But that’s just what it is. I’m vaccinated, you have to do what you think is best for you.”

Wooten says one recommendation has changed recently – the CDC no longer recommends cloth masks but rather N95 paper masks, to protect against the highly contagious Omicron variant. And the borough is now providing them free of charge.  

“We also have N95 masks available at the Haines borough administration (building) if you want them,” she said. “The CDC guidance has changed. They’re basically saying now that the N95 mask is probably the gold standard, if you can use an N95 you should. It’s not recommended to use surgical masks, (but) that’s probably the next best practice if you can, but definitely not cloth masks anymore.”

The borough is also providing rapid at-home COVID tests to the community and the school, as supplies last. And all residents can order four at-home tests provided by the federal government, from usps.com. 

Wooten says by the state’s metrics of severity – hospitalizations, deaths and school transmission – Haines is doing okay. 

“Yes, we do have a lot of cases, but our clinic is not stressed or overrun,” Wooten said. “We haven’t had any medevacs that I’m aware of, not that I always get told of them. But I haven’t heard of any medevacs for COVID. And we haven’t had any deaths since the one unfortunate one we had last year. So I guess those are the things that we focus on at this point.”

She says the borough has heard residents complaints about a lack of information.

“We are in communication with SEARHC. If they give us a report, we’ll get it. Same thing with public health. If I hear it, if I get it, I’m going to report it,” Wooten said. “We’ll try to keep people up to date as best we can. If we see something that’s truly alarming, obviously, we would, we would go ahead and reach out.”

Wooten says the borough is not tracking demographics or details of the Haines’ COVID wave, but she’s heard anecdotally that entire families have been infected. For those who test positive at home with a rapid test, Wooten reminds people to get a PCR test at the Haines clinic to verify. Anyone with symptoms should stay home, and those who are sick get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and isolate from others if possible.  

Masks are required in Haines public schools. But the borough does not have a mandate requiring masks indoors in borough buildings or other public settings. A change in that policy would require action by the borough manager and/or assembly.

COVID testing is available at multiple locations in Haines, Klukwan and Skagway. 

In Haines, there are rapid at-home tests available at the Haines administration building, and rapid and PCR tests at SEARHC by appointment. In Klukwan, testing is available from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, call Mrs Spud at (907) 766-6319 to schedule.

In Skagway, testing is available at the Dahl Memorial Clinic for $30, by appointment. The Skagway Traditional Council offers free COVID testing for walk-ins from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.