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Six Additional AMHS Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
“All six passengers and the remaining 28 employees test negative.”
*(ANCHORAGE, Alaska)*Six additional employees aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) M/V Tustumena have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 positive crewmembers to seven.
The Tustumena returned to Homer last night at 8 p.m. with 41 people aboard, including the one known positive crewmember. Forty people were tested; this included six passengers and 34 AMHS crewmembers. After the vessel docked, staff from South Peninsula Hospital boarded the ship to conduct testing. Testing was completed last night and results were shared with individuals by 9 a.m.
The seven crewmembers who have tested positive will remain in isolation on the Tustumena. The positive crewmembers are being monitored and supported by medical professionals.
The six passengers, and some of the crewmembers who tested negative have left the vessel and are returning home if they have private transportation and can appropriately self-monitor and quarantine at home for 14 days. They will continue to coordinate with the Alaska Section of Epidemiology.
Some of the crewmembers who tested negative will remain on the Tustumena to help support vessel operations. The positive and negative crewmembers will remain separated on board.
Out of an abundance of caution, the State of Alaska is recommending that anyone who was on the ship follow the guidance below for 14 days after leaving the ship:
1. Wear a mask/face covering when in public.
2. Minimize exposure to others (maintain at least 6 feet distance), as able.
3. Self-monitor for symptoms twice a day and get tested for COVID-19 if any symptoms arise.
4. Consider getting tested 7-14 days after leaving the ship if no symptoms arise.
This guidance is similar to the recommendations that the State of Alaska is emphasizing for all Alaskans.
This incident began Saturday when an AMHS employee on the Tustumena received notice that they had been in contact with a person who had had just tested positive for COVID-19. At the time, the AMHS employee had mild symptoms. The employee tested Saturday evening in Dutch Harbor, and that test came back positive. Saturday, Epidemiology identified 16 AMHS employees who were considered close contacts. Of the six new positives, four were part of the 16 who were considered close contacts, two were not. Epidemiology will continue to conduct contact tracing and will notify anyone who was in contact with the new positive cases.
No passengers or additional AMHS employees are considered to be close contacts. The crewmember who tested positive Saturday developed symptoms that were similar to a severe cold. The six crewmembers who recently tested positive have experienced minor or no symptoms.
At this time, sailings for the Tustumena are anticipated to resume Saturday, June 27. This will give time for the vessel to be thoroughly sanitized and staffed with crew. All AMHS passengers who are impacted by the canceled sailings are being notified. If you have questions about reservations, please visit www.FerryAlaska.com or contact the AMHS reservation call center by dialing 1-907-465-3941 or toll-free at 1-800-642-0066.
This spring, AMHS worked with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to develop mitigation protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These protocols include passenger screening, reduced passenger numbers to facilitate social distancing, recommendations of face coverings for all and frequent sanitization on board and in terminals. AMHS will continue to work with DHSS to review the current mitigation protocols and make any necessary adjustments for the safety of passengers and crewmembers.
[ http://511.Alaska.Gov ]
Sailings for the M/V Tustumena are expected to resume June 27 when the ship departs Homer for Kodiak at 10:30 a.m. Schedules and travel information are available at www.FerryAlaska.com.
If you have questions about reservations, please visit www.FerryAlaska.com or contact the AMHS reservation call center by dialing 1-907-465-3941 or toll-free at 1-800-642-0066.
Service notices may be found at dot.alaska.gov/amhs/service_notices.shtml.
JUNEAU, Alaska)*This afternoon, a crewmember on the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) “M/V Tustumena” was notified that a person they had been in close contact with tested positive for COVID-19. At the time, the crewmember on the Tustumena was displaying mild symptoms including a runny nose, cough and body aches, but they did not have a fever. The crewmember isolated on board, and a rapid test was conducted at about 5 p.m. That test came back positive at 6 p.m.
The Alaska Division of Public Health is currently working to identify contacts. The vessel had a crew of 35 and no more than 60 passengers at any time during the voyage south from Homer to Dutch Harbor. At this time, 16 close contacts have been identified, all of whom were other crewmembers. All crew stayed onboard in Dutch Harbor. No passengers have been identified as close contacts.
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Northbound passengers who boarded the vessel this afternoon did not have contact with the COVID-19 positive crewmember and were only on the ship briefly. These passengers were notified of the crewmembers COVID-19 positive status and disembarked the vessel at 7 p.m., with instructions to self-monitor. Six passengers who originally boarded the vessel in Homer did not disembark the vessel in Dutch Harbor.
Medical personnel screened the AMHS crewmember and remaining six passengers prior to departure from Dutch Harbor. During transit, only essential crew will operate; the remaining crew and six passengers will self-quarantine. No additional stops will be made along the way. After arrival to their final destination, crewmembers and passengers will be tested for COVID-19, they will then quarantine and self-monitor.
The Tustumena returned to service June 2 and just completed the first run down the Aleutian Chain. The vessel started service in Homer, and visited Seldovia, Kodiak, Chignik, Sand Point, King Cove, Cold Bay, False Pass, Akutan and Dutch Harbor. The Tustumena arrived in Dutch Harbor this morning.
All passengers who were onboard the Tustumena earlier this week are asked to follow the guidance below for 14 days after they left the ship. As the investigation continues, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services will provide guidance, if warranted.
- Wear a mask/face covering when in public.
- Minimize their exposure to others.
- Monitor for any symptoms including fever twice a day.
- Get tested for the virus that causes COVID-19 if they are symptomatic and consider getting tested 7-14 days after they left the ship if they remain asymptomatic.
Tustumena sailings are canceled until further notice. Passengers with upcoming reservations will be contacted and their fare will be refunded. Passengers who have questions can contact reservations at 1-800-642-0066, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Alaska Time.
The Tustumena is being thoroughly disinfected before returning to service. AMHS has COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place. These protocols include:
- Reminders to passengers and AMHS employees to practice good hygiene and follow social distancing guidelines.
- Passenger capacity on each vessel is reduced to 1/3 to enable social distancing.
- Passengers and AMHS employees complete a health screening form before boarding. People who are sick or have recently had contact with an infected person are not permitted to travel.
- The CDCs COVID-19 prevention guidance is posted on at AMHS terminals and aboard vessels.
- Modifications to food service spaces to ensure social distancing.
- Intensified cleaning of all areas, including routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
