info: Youth Hockey Tournament COVID-19 cluster and delay of KPBSD Hockey Season start

Any KPBSD staff or student, who participated in or attended the 2020 Termination Dust Invitational, held Oct. 2-4 at the Ben Boeke and Dempsey Anderson arenas, needs to quarantine for 14 days, through October 18, 2020* and is not permitted to attend school onsite-in-person, or report to work onsite-in-person, at a school campus until Monday, October 19, 2020.

*Dr. Ohlsen, our KPBSD state Physician Consultant for schools, explained today that this quarantine applies to our school district. Many coaches and students are still testing positive.  Any KPBSD staff or students, who participated in or attended this event, must quarantine, and not go to school or work. Students can shift to 100% Remote Learning. Staff or students who need to quarantine can reach out to their school or supervisor for further information. The last day of quarantine will be October 18, 2020, and they can return to school on Monday, October 19, 2020.  If anyone experiences any symptoms of COVID19, they should be tested.

KPBSD’s high school hockey season was slated to start Wednesday October 14, 2020 (first allowable practice date as per ASAA). As a result of this Youth Hockey event and resulting COVID-19 positive cluster, I am postponing the start of the KPBSD high school hockey season to Monday October 19, 2020.

–KPBSD Superintendent John O’Brien, October 9, 2020

Anchorage Health Department News Release: October 9, 2020

AHD urges attendees of youth hockey tournament to
quarantine or isolate following cluster of COVID-19 cases

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

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