A public health worker in a tent outside Juneau International Airport bags a freshly collected nasal swab for COVID-19 testing on Sept. 1, 2020. (Photo by Jeremy Hsieh/KTOO)
The state is reporting 32 active COVID cases in the Haines Borough as of Sunday, the highest case count since the community’s largest outbreak last August. The state’s COVID case dashboard shows zero new cases as of January 2, the most recent date it was updated, and a total of 32 cases in the last seven days.
The Haines borough issued a statement last week warning the case count could likely be higher due to at-home testing. Residents that test positive at home are asked to test again at the Haines clinic to confirm, as well as be recorded in the official case count.
Borough officials suggest all travelers returning to the Chilkat Valley after the holidays first get a COVID test at the Juneau Airport, then test again five days later with an at-home kit. They also ask that people returning home wear a mask in public places, wash hands often, keep social circles small, and if feeling sick isolate and seek a COVID test.
Free rapid at-home COVID tests are available at the Haines administration building on 3rd Avenue and at the public safety building on the Haines Highway.
PCR tests are available at the Haines SEARHC Clinic Monday through Friday, by appointment. COVID vaccines and boosters are also available.
The state COVID dashboard reports one new active COVID case in Skagway as of Sunday, and two positive cases the last week. The Dahl Memorial Clinic offers COVID tests for $30 during business hours Monday through Friday by appointment. COVID vaccines and boosters are available.
And the Skagway Traditional Council offers free COVID testing from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with no appointment necessary.
