Valdez COVID-19 Unified Command
NEWS RELEASE # 021
For immediate release: 08/31/2020, 8:00 p.m.
Valdez, AK – The community of Valdez received confirmation of its eleventh resident case of COVID-19 on Monday. The new resident case is an adult who experienced symptoms and remained in isolation since the onset of their illness. They are following the guidance of their medical provider and public health officials. All close contacts of the patient have been notified and are in quarantine. Additionally, several resident cases are now considered recovered as of Monday evening. The term “recovered” in this
context means the patient has been released from public health isolation monitoring and is no longer considered contagious. However, the patient may continue to experience negative effects from the disease.
Valdez must continue making thoughtful and careful decisions as long as COVID-19 remains present in our community and beyond. Taking individual actions like hand hygiene, physical distancing, wearing a cloth face covering around others, keeping your social circle small, avoiding high risk activities, and staying home when you are sick all make a
big impact towards keeping our community safe.
If you believe you have even mild COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider for screening and
closely follow their instructions. Remember to call ahead before you go to the doctor’s office, public health clinic, or
hospital. The local medical team will continue to provide the best possible care for you and our community.
Update 8/31
Both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 testing are currently available in Valdez. Visit the Valdez Unified
Command website (www.valdezak.gov/COVID-19) for additional information and to learn more about different local
testing options. If you feel you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please contact your medical
provider for guidance. Timeline for testing will vary depending upon your possible exposure date.
The Valdez Unified Command and public health officials continue to closely monitor the rapidly changing course of
COVID-19. We ask the community to practice compassion and remember that behind every case count number is a
person dealing with a difficult diagnosis. We remain committed to providing information, support, and resources to
protect the health of Valdez.
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Contact: Allie Ferko, public information officer, Valdez Unified Command aferko@valdezak.gov, (907) 202-0711
