State reports another case of COVID-19 in Juneau

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has reported another confirmed case of COVID-19 from Juneau. The source of the virus is under investigation. According to DHSS, this new case is male, aged 30-39.

Juneau has now had 17 cumulative cases – six cases are a result of community transmission, nine secondary, one travel, and the newest case is pending investigation. Ten of the 17 cases have recovered.

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.

Juneau’s case is one of five new ones around the state, for a cumulative statewide total of 277.

Because many people with COVID-19 present with very mild illness, the State of Alaska has lowered the threshold for testing and is encouraging more broad testing. State guidelines advise health care providers to test individuals who have:

• a new onset of cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing; OR
• a new onset of two or more of the following: chills, diminished sense of taste or smell, diarrhea, fatigue, fever (measured or subjective), headache, muscle/joint aches, nausea, rigors, runny nose, sore throat, or sputum production.

If you have symptoms, contact your primary healthcare provider first. Juneau residents can also call the local COVID-19 Screening Hotline at 586-6000, noon to 6 p.m. daily. Testing will be arranged if appropriate. If someone meets the criteria for testing but is homebound or has no transportation, a community paramedic can conduct an in-home test.

For non-clinical questions, you can call 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221.

For more local news, information, and resources to help keep Juneau safe and healthy, go to juneau.org/covid-19.