Juneau’s community risk level elevates to High; mitigation measures effective 5 p.m. Friday

Due to increasing case positivity, the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center is raising the overall community risk to Level 3 High with a full implementation of the COVID-19 Community Mitigation Strategies. Since July 30, CBJ has been at a Modified-High Level 3 risk level with only the required masking strategy implemented.

The Delta variant is driving case transmission locally and statewide. Case counts continue at a high rate, averaging 16.56 new cases a day in Juneau for the month of August, which is the highest rate Juneau has experienced since the beginning of the pandemic; July saw an average of 7.26 new cases each day. As a result, Public Health is no longer able to adequately contact trace. Hospitals in Anchorage and Seattle are significantly restricted, limiting Bartlett Regional Hospital’s ability to medevac critical patients. Fortunately, BRH is not over patient capacity, but it is contending with staffing shortages and nationwide healthcare supply chain issues that will make it difficult if hospitalizations increase.

In the past 14 days (August 5 – 18), Juneau has had 263 new COVID-19 positive individuals in the community, a steady flow of COVID-positive patients at BRH, and two deaths. While Juneau’s vaccination rate is high – and individuals who are fully vaccinated are less likely to develop severe illness requiring hospitalization – there is still high case positivity in the unvaccinated populations, including children who are unable to be vaccinated.

The following community mitigation measures are effective as of 5 p.m. Friday, August 20:

• Masks must continue to be worn in all public indoor areas. Masks must be worn in public outdoor areas where 6 feet of distancing cannot be maintained. Keep your social bubble contained to family members.
• Indoor gatherings should be limited to 20 people with masks required; no size limit if all individuals are fully vaccinated. Six-feet distancing recommended for outdoor gatherings.
• Bars and restaurants must not exceed 50% indoor capacity, maintain 6 feet distance between patrons, maintain a patron list, and close at 11 p.m.
• Personal services must be by appointment only; no waiting areas.
• Gyms must not exceed 50% capacity; no group activities; limit indoor classes to fully vaccinated individuals only.
• Travelers arriving in Juneau should follow State of Alaska health advisories.

Read CBJ’s COVID-19 Risk Metrics and Mitigation Strategies here.

In addition to the community mitigation strategies, individuals can help contain the spread of COVID-19 – get vaccinated, mask up, keep your social bubble small, and get tested.

If you do test positive for COVID-19, and haven’t heard from Public Health, contact Public Health at 465-3353. In addition, notify your close contacts as soon as possible so they can quarantine and get tested. A close contact is anyone – masked or unmasked – who you were within 6 feet for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

For more information, email [email protected].