Kodiak COVID Count: Increases by one after health department audit

A review of COVID-19 cases in the Kodiak Island Borough has turned up cases not previously counted.

The Kodiak Area Emergency Services Organization says the Kodiak Health Department conducted the review – and not only found two uncounted cases but also one improperly assigned to the Kodiak region.

This reclassification brings the total number of cases reported on Kodiak Island, since the first outbreak in April, to 98 — one more than previously counted.

The Emergency Services Organization says four of those cases are currently considered active.

The new case added to the Kodiak COVID Count is currently under investigation.

Bonny Weed, a Kodiak public health nurse, says the state health department tracks cases based on residency — so depending on where someone contracts the virus, it may take time to sort out the numbers.

Weed say it’s easy to focus on the overall tally of cases — but that’s really not what’s most important.

“I think definitely what worth more, is, to see what is the trend over a period of days,” Weed said. “Day to day that count is usually right, can be wrong. I think it works out in the end.”

Weed says public health nurses have been working closely together across the state, helping each other deal with the overflow of cases in some communities. She says the work can be all consuming at times.

Read the press release from the Kodiak Area Emergency Services Organization: 

10.20.20 Kodiak Covid Graphic-98 20201020 Positive Test Announcement – Case 98 10.20.20 Kodiak Covid Graphic-98