KAKE – The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) and the Kake Health Center (KHC) have been proactively planning a response ahead of the coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching the community of Kake. KHC remains in continuous contact with the City of Kake as part of the local Incident Command System. Changes in service have been implemented at KHC to limit patient contact, and plans are in place should a COVID-19 case be confirmed in the community. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kake.
The majority of clinic appointments are now hosted virtually, by phone or video, or completed as a home visit. On-site KHC visits are scheduled only for those urgent or emergent cases utilizing services that cannot be completed virtually or in-home. KHC has also implemented prescription medicine pickups in the clinic parking lot.
COVID-19 tests are available at the clinic to those who meet the symptomatic guidelines – currently fever and cough, or shortness of breath – regardless of travel or exposure criteria. KHC has a HEPA filter set up in an exam room for isolation, should a confirmed case need to be seen at the clinic. Normal channels of care remain in place across the Consortium, but should you require levels of care beyond what can be provided at KHC, SEARHC will arrange transport to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center in Sitka or another healthcare facility to provide the necessary level of care.
“Kake has a mandatory shelter in place mandate right now, so please adhere to this mandate,” said Nurse Practitioner and KHC Supervisor Todd Galuszka. “Stay home and sanitize daily. If you need to be seen by a provider, please call the clinic first.”
SEARHC recommends that patients remain home if sick. Patients with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, or those who are immune compromised, should contact their provider immediately if they become ill. Please adhere to the CDC preventive methods to deter respiratory disease, including washing your hands thoroughly and often, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects, and getting a flu shot.
For more information on the novel coronavirus, visit covid19.searhc.org or call the SEARHC COVID-19 Hotline at 907.966.8799 to speak to a representative during normal business hours. If you need to speak to a registered nurse after-hours, call the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1.800.613.0560.