By Gretchen Wehmhoff
The nine cases of COVID-19 that appeared in October, sending Skagway into two consecutive weeks of shelter-in-place, are now considered recovered.
The mayor is relieved.
“It’s fantastic news,” said Cremata after seeing the report from the Emergency Operation Center (EOC).
“It’s great to know our residents are safe and that all those who were ill are better,” Cremata said.
Cremata had been concerned. Nine cases in a small town is significant but he was happy to see “how resolutely the EOC worked together and how the community pulled together with concern for those who where sick.”
Over the course of the pandemic, the testing from both Dahl Memorial Clinic (DMC), Skagway Traditional Council (STC) and SEARHC shows 989 tests were conducted: nine positive, 980 negative, zero pending and nine recovered.
Cremata credits the containment to fast responses from DMC and STC in providing tests for residents on a large scale.
Cremata saw the town’s response as great primer for the cruise ship season.
“We know we are capable of handling a small outbreak. But we know we can’t shelter-in-place during the summer with cruise ships in town,” said Cremata.
“Can we do mass testing? Well, yes we can,” he said.
