ANCHORAGE – The Anchorage Health Department (AHD) is investigating a youth hockey tournament after a cluster of COVID-19 cases were identified. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is assisting with the contact tracing investigation.
Contact investigations indicate that the 2020 Termination Dust Invitational, held Oct. 2-4 at the Ben Boeke and Dempsey Anderson arenas, was attended by more than 300 players, coaches and fans. Teams from Anchorage, Eagle River/Chugiak, Wasilla/Palmer, Kenai/Soldotna and Juneau participated in the tournament. Contact investigations indicate significant close contact in indoor spaces, including locker rooms, with inconsistent use of face coverings.
To avoid further spread of COVID-19, AHD urges all attendees without symptoms to quarantine at home for 14 days, except to get tested. Additionally, AHD urges all attendees with COVID-19 symptoms should isolate from others at home for 10 days, except to get tested.
Most children have asymptomatic, mild or moderate symptoms and recover within one to two weeks of symptom onset. As with adults, children with medical conditions, for example, heart or lung disease, neurologic, genetic, or metabolic disorders, cancer, kidney disease, obesity, immune disorders, are at higher risk for severe disease.
“Participating in physical activity is incredibly important for everyone, especially our youth. This year we have the added challenge of ensuring those activities are done consistently in a COVID-conscious way that keeps our youth, their families, and our community healthy," said AHD Director Heather Harris. “It is extremely important for anyone who might have been exposed at this tournament to follow COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidelines."
We must stop COVID-19 with simple steps and smart choices.
- Stay home except for essential trips.
- Feeling even mild symptoms? Get tested. Stay home.
- Wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet from others outside your house.
- Avoid social gatherings, especially indoors. Gatherings are not safe.
- Keep a log of your contact with others.
- Stay informed by listening to public health experts.
- Get a flu shot. Use AnchorageFluShot.org to find free flu shot clinics.
- Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to remain vigilant. Do not underestimate COVID-19.
What you do matters. Stop the spread of COVID-19. Together, we can save lives.
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Media Inquiries:
AHD Director Heather Harris, Epidemiologist Dr. Janet Johnston and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Chandler will be available to answer questions at the Mayor's Community Update today, October 9, at noon.
Barry Piser, Public Information Officer, (907) 343-4622, barry.piser@anchorageak.gov