Two rapid at-home antigen tests (Photo via Pixabay)

Officials warn there is still community spread of COVID in upper Lynn Canal. Free rapid, at-home COVID tests kits will be available in Haines starting this week. The Haines EOC requests travelers test when arriving in the Chilkat Valley or returning after the holidays, and they urge continued vigilance and precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. KHNS’ Corinne Smith reports. 

Alaska health officials are making at-home rapid COVID testing available, to help slow the continued spread of the virus. 

Haines received 1,000 BinaxNow testing kits this week. That’s a nasal swab test, and results show in about 15 minutes. Haines EOC commander Carolann Wooton says they request travelers test upon arrival. 

“Because we know this time of year that we’re pretty insulated in Haines. But when people travel and come back into the community, that’s when they’re most likely to start seeing cases in the community,” Wooton said. “So we wanted to give people, put something in their hands to help make their transition back a little bit easier, and to sort of safeguard the community at the same time.”

Since there is a limited supply, she says they will distribute one kit per each member of a household. Each package contains two tests. It’s recommended to take the first test, wait 24 to 48 hours and take the second test to verify. 

Wooton recommends people that travel through the Juneau airport get a free PCR test which is available there on arrival, and then take one rapid test five days later to verify results. 

“​​Say you went down south for the holidays, or you’re flying, you’re going into Juneau, go ahead and test at the Juneau airport, because they’re still testing PCR,” she said. “Test at the airport, once you get back to the community, recommend that you masks. And then within five days, go ahead and take one of these tests just to confirm it.”

If positive, Wooton says to arrange to get re-tested at the SEARHC clinic. She says it’s important to report each case in order to track the virus in the community.

“If we have everybody at home testing themselves, and they’re testing positive, we don’t know if they don’t report it,” she said. “So it is good for us to help understand what’s going on in the community. If people would go get their tests, their positive tests verified at the clinic.”

Wooton added that residents need proof of a positive PCR test in order to avoid having to test to cross the border into Canada. A positive at-home rapid test doesn’t qualify. 

On Monday, the Haines EOC said several people have tested positive for COVID without specifying the number of cases. 

The state dashboard shows zero new cases in the Haines borough, and email requests to SEARHC are pending.

Wooton explains because of home testing they do not have a current case count, and so advise overall caution. 

“So one of the challenges that we have is that home testing does not require reporting…it makes it very, very difficult for a municipality in the state to really know what our actual numbers if it’s not reported, we don’t know anything about it,” she said. “So that’s why in our post, we recommended for everyone to just have a blanket assumption that there is COVID in the community. And in that means that you would take whatever steps you need to do what’s best for you.”

Wooton says the health recommendations remain the same: get vaccinated, wear a mask in public spaces, and keep social circles small. 

“Mask if you’re uncomfortable. If you’re in a group setting where you can’t get that face mask, wash your hands, keep your groups small where you can,” Wooton said. “Those are all steps that we’ve been sort of saying right from the get go, we kind of need to dust them off again, and remind everybody, Hey, you already know what to do. You don’t need the EOC to tell you what to do.”

Wooton says the borough will continue to provide weekly updates on Wednesdays, and will update the public if there is an outbreak reported. 

On Monday, the Klukwan EOC reported one new positive case. The person is symptomatic, and others in the household tested negative. The person who tested positive is staying with a tribal household, but does not live or work in Klukwan, according to an update posted on Chilkat Indian Village’s Tribal EOC Facebook page. 

The tribal EOC tested over 50 people this weekend prior to memorial services, and all tests came back negative, according to the update. 

In Klukwan, the EOC provides free PCR and rapid COVID testing for all those who live, work or visit the community. 

Officials say there is still community spread in the Chilkat Valley and remind people to use precautions around the holidays to prevent further spread of the virus.

Test kits can be picked up at the Haines Borough administration building during business hours by prior arrangement. The number to call is 907-766-6409 or email eoc@haines.ak.us.

Skagway is currently reporting one active COVID case as of Monday, and testing, vaccines and boosters are available at the Dahl Memorial Clinic.

 

(Correction: The article incorrectly stated the Klukwan EOC reported a positive case in the village. The individual who tested positive is staying with a tribal household, and does not live or work in Klukwan)