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Shareholders and families,
The next Shee Atiká Board meeting is scheduled for July 30. The entire Board was excited to have our first in person meeting in 20 months. We had a day and a half planned to work on our strategic plan and board effectiveness as well as our normal business agenda. Unfortunately, due to the sudden increase in COVID-19 cases in Sitka, we will once again be meeting via Zoom.
The month of July has been terrible with respect to the spread of COVID-19 in Sitka. We have gone from averaging less than one case a day to a 14 day rolling case rate of almost 20/day. More than 300 people have tested positive since the first week of July. Sitka has led the state of Alaska and the nation in new infections on a per capita basis. Hospitalizations have gone up. This rapid spread of illness has occurred despite the fact that 75 percent of eligible residents of Sitka are fully vaccinated. Our emergency personnel have explained that the spread of disease is being driven by unvaccinated residents.
Sadly, Sitka resident and Shareholder John Ricaporte lost his life to the virus this month. We send our condolences to his family and friends and to all those that have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
As much as we hoped and believed, the pandemic is not over. Sitka’s July surge is slightly ahead of the curve; the entire country is at the start of another wave of infections.
There is still good news. The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to get the COVID-19 vaccine, mask up and maintain your social distance. While these actions will not guarantee you won't contract COVID-19, they will greatly reduce the risk that you will become seriously ill, or infect the people you love or your neighbors.
Our traditional values include respect for all living beings and taking care of each other. The Shee Atiká Board and staff strongly encourage you to get vaccinated, mask up, and social distance. If we all take these precautions, together we can put the pandemic behind us and get back to the normal lives we all long to live.
Sincerely,
Rob Allen, Chair
Visit the City of Sitka website and their Covid Dashboard: https://cityofsitka.org/
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