Health

State and federal medical officials, including Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink and Senior Medical Officer with the Department of Homeland Security Alexander Eastman visited Kodiak on Wednesday. The group toured the Ocean Beauty and Trident Seafood processing plants and the city’s alternative care facilities, and met with members of Kodiak’s medical community. Zink, who has been the face of …

In this new age of limited social interactions, there’s a lot to get used to. There are new guidelines to follow, changes to business and class schedules, and hurdles to once-routine tasks like picking up groceries or getting a haircut. Kodiak’s mental health community says, it’s normal to feel like it’s difficult to function right now. “I think people need …

Antibody testing for COVID-19 has been making headlines over the last few weeks. It’s a form of testing that uses blood droplets to confirm whether you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus by checking if you have the antibodies associated with the virus. The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, says it’s unclear right now whether having the antibodies …

Friday marks one month since Kodiak issued a “hunker down” notice for residents. With all school activities continuing from home and many businesses partially or completely closed down, mental health professionals are recognizing a significant amount of anxiety in the community. “I know last week when the first COVID case was diagnosed here in Kodiak, that spiked quite a bit …

On Monday night Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlined a cautious plan to reopen some businesses like restaurants, and hair and nail salons. The governor did not give many details on what would need to happen before regulations are relaxed, but said things could start to loosen up as early as next week. City manager Mike Tvenge says local government is working …

On Tuesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced that restaurants and certain businesses can begin to reopen on Friday, provided they follow certain guidelines. All businesses that reopen will have to stay below 25 percent of their operating capacity. Restaurants will have to use a reservation system to accommodated dine-in customers. Retail stores reopening must provide hand sanitizer at the entrance. And …

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Stressed out and anxious by all the things you are trying to juggle with the COVID-19 pandemic? Join us while we talk to licensed mental health professionals. Our guests for today’s Lowdown are: Montu Jani- KCHC Behavior Health, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) Samantha Marlar-Enbom- KANA Behavioral Health Consultant, LPC Kate Murphy- USCG, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) …

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on Kodiak Island Wednesday afternoon. According to a press release from the Kodiak Area Emergency Services Organization, “The individual is not acutely ill and is staying at home.” “Public health officials have made contact with the individual, and we’ll continue to monitor the condition to …

Kodiak’s hospital and medical clinics have ramped up testing for COVID-19 in the last week, after the first rapid-testing machines arrived on island last Wednesday. About 100 test kits came along with the first set of machines, and since then they’ve scaled up, according to Dr. Curtis Mortenson at Kodiak Community Health Center. “A week ago, we had no ability …

A new state health mandate announces the use of hotel rooms, dormitories and other buildings to house specific populations who need to quarantine or isolate. KMXT posts the following press release from the Governor’s office as received, with minor edits. Issued: April 13, 2020 By: Governor Mike Dunleavy, Commissioner Adam Crum, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Dr. Anne Zink, …