Daily Sitka Sentinel

Use of KN95 Masks Urged in Virus Surge

By SHANNON HAUGLAND

Sentinel Staff Writer

Sixty-four new COVID cases were added to Sitka’s dashboard Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the seven-day total to 157.

Thirty positive tests were logged on Wednesday and 34 on Thursday. The case rate is 1,842.07, based on a 100,000 population. The state’s count on the data hub was 153 residents and six nonresidents. (The difference between the 159 total and the 157 reported on both the city and state dashboards was not explained.)

“The current surge really rolling through the state of Alaska is lagging a few weeks before the lower 48,” said Dr. Elliot Bruhl at Wednesday’s Unified Command meeting. “Virtually all of the variants being tested now around the state are now of the Omicron type rather than the Delta type.”

Bruhl, SEARHC’s chief medical officer, said Omicron is more transmissible than other variants, and in general doesn’t make people as sick as do the others.

That being said, he added, “For people who are susceptible, they still can and do get very sick and even deathly sick. It continues to be a threat to human health and especially for people that have chronic medical problems, people over age 65, and this is a vulnerable group.”

He stressed the importance of everyone protecting the vulnerable in the community by following precautions such as handwashing and wearing a mask.

He added that these precautions also help prevent seasonal flu.

“We are seeing some cases – it’s not into epidemic proportions,” he said.

Bruhl said SEARHC has implemented new rules at the Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center, including restricting the use of the cafeteria to people directly associated with the hospital and care providers, and requiring N95 masks for all “patient-to-patient contact.”

He and Public Health Nurse Denise Ewing discussed the new Centers for Disease Control’s guidance that shortens the isolation period for those testing positive for COVID.

Those who test positive and whose symptoms have resolved can return to work after five days, but they must wear a mask for at least another five days.

“In our work environment that means an N95 mask,” Bruhl said. “I think for most employees wearing a surgical mask would be fine.”

Ewing emphasized the importance of isolating after a positive test.

“If you’re sick, if you have tested positive at a testing site or with a personal home test, please isolate yourself and notify your contacts,” she said. 

Ewing also talked about the N95 masks now being recommended. These masks also should say “NIOSH,” since those without that mark are knockoffs, she said. Other similar masks are KN95 and KF95.

“Consider upgrading to a higher filtration mask if you can,” she said. “Surgical masks, cloth masks, gaiters, buffs are not as effective unless doubled up.”

“What we’re looking for is that seal all around the face with no gaps,” Ewing said. “If your glasses fog up when you’re wearing them, then they’re not sealed well enough.”

With regard to testing, she reminded the public of the testing hours noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday noon to 2 p.m. at the old Sitka Community Hospital site. Those needing additional help can call the COVID hotline.

She mentioned the national shortage of at-home testing kits, and said she is keeping an eye on when more will be available.

The state public health center on Moller Drive and the Harry Race and White’s pharmacies are out of the home test kits, although all have orders for more when they’re available.

In his update from the fire hall, EMS Captain Rob Janik said responders are wearing N95 masks with eye protection when contacting patients, or a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR), which protects the wearer but does not filter air breathed out.

Ewing provided guidance for the new CDC recommendations for those who are exposed to someone with COVID:

– If you were asymptomatic and have been boosted or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months, or completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last two months, then wear a mask around others for 10 days. Test on day 5.

“If you develop symptoms get tested and stay home,” she said.

– If you were asymptomatic and completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted or completed the primary series of J&J over two months ago and were not boosted or are unvaccinated then self-quarantine for five days; after that, continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days. If unable to quarantine, wear a mask for 10 days test on day five if you develop symptoms get tested and stay home.

Ewing also talked about the importance of getting flu shots, which are available for ages six months and up. 

“Vaccines aren’t everything, but are an extremely helpful tool for us and keeping us from getting heavily impacted by Omicron, and hospitalized,” she said. “Everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID vaccine booster. For people who received Moderna and Pfizer vaccine initially a booster is recommended five months after their primary series. A booster is recommended two months after the initial J and J COVID 19 vaccine.”

Ewing said the state is working on the next phase of the pandemic response in case investigation and contact tracing.

As of Feb. 28, broad-based contact investigation and tracing will begin transitioning to an approach that supports “high risk settings, congregate settings,” with a streamlined team, she said.. 

“This team will focus on supporting and coaching mitigation strategies, including quarantine, isolation, testing, and workplace prevention, infection prevention,” she said.  

This means the state of Alaska will be transitioning away from contact tracing of all individual cases.

“With the high Omicron transmission rate, it’s no longer feasible to keep contact tracing successfully and accurately,” she said. “We are focusing on a targeted approach to those persons (who are most vulnerable).”

She said that with the availability of all mitigation tools and information – including vaccines and masks – contact tracing does not provide the same benefit that was seen in reducing cases earlier in the pandemic.

Ewing said Public Health is available to answer questions about COVID, including testing, vaccines and contact tracing.

From Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Travis Miller said STA staff is now working from home, and testing is available to them.