CRAIG – Weekend express care services at the Craig Health Clinic (CHC) were recently suspended as part of SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s (SEARHC) efforts to limit patient contact during the COVID-19 threat. With the community of Craig registering its first confirmed cases of COVID-19, patients are urged to schedule primary care services at Alicia Roberts Medical Center (ARMC) in Klawock, including COVID-19 testing. Behavioral health, physical therapy, and optometry services at CHC remain open and are operating virtually, through phone or video appointments, with in-person visits limited to essential or urgent appointments
The CHC moves are part of a larger response by SEARHC in providing safe, essential service to the island of Prince of Wales during the COVID-19 threat. To further reduce direct contact with patients, ARMC clinic appointments can now be hosted virtually, and pharmacy curbside prescription pick-up and delivery services are offered. ARMC providers are conducting alternative site COVID-19 testing to reduce patient contact and potential contamination. Current guidelines state that all patients displaying respiratory illness symptoms (fever and cough, shortness of breath) are eligible for a COVID-19 test, regardless of travel or exposure criteria. SEARHC leadership announced last week that ARMC would receive a COVID-19 rapid test machine, providing in-house results in a matter of minutes for high priority patients. Call 907.755.4800 to schedule an appointment at ARMC.
For more information on SEARHC’s pandemic response, including testing data, frequently asked questions, and clinic contact information, visit covid19.searhc.org or call the COVID-19 Hotline at 907.966.8799. To speak with a registered nurse after hours, call the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1.800.613.0530.