June 29, 2020 — The number of positive COVID-19 cases in the seafood industry is on the rise. On Friday, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported five more cases in the Bristol Bay and Lake and Peninsula Boroughs. On Thursday the state reported nine additional cases in the same area.
Mary Swain, executive director of the Camai Community Heath Center in Naknek, said they’ve seen 29 positive cases since June 11. She said most of them are seafood plant workers and two are fisherman.
Local officials have said they’ve seen some seafood workers not wearing masks at some public gatherings. While others in town said they haven’t seen issues with workers.
“You have a lot of fisherman who are taking this seriously and being respectful. And then you have a lot of fisherman who don’t necessarily believe or understand the threat that COVID poses for a community like rural Alaska,” said Kendra Gottschalk, Naknek Native Village Council’s administrative assistant.