The number of positive coronavirus cases in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta skyrocketed this weekend. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation announced 17 new cases on Aug. 22 and 23, marking the biggest spike in cases to date. All 17 patients are currently self-isolating.
At least 12 of the new cases had been in close contact with prior positive cases. The news comes two weeks after YKHC set its previous record number of cases in one day: five people who tested positive after coming into contact with people who had already tested positive.
On Aug. 22, YKHC confirmed six positive cases: one Bethel resident, one non-resident, and four residents in a village that YKHC serves. The Bethel resident and the four village residents were close contacts of previous positive cases.
On Aug. 23, YKHC announced 11 more positive cases. One was a Bethel residents, and the rest were residents of villages in YKHC’s service area. YKHC did not name the villages.
YKHC has announced 78 positive cases since March, and 26 of those cases are currently active. There have also been two deaths since July. The most recent death was announced last week, the first village resident from the region, whom the state identified as a male in his 50s.
