Anchorage Community Development Authority director tests positive for COVID-19; Mayor Bronson a close contact

Anchorage Neighborhood Improvement Authority government director Mike Robbins speaks at a press convention at metropolis corridor on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Mike Robbins, government director of the Anchorage Neighborhood Improvement Authority, has examined optimistic for COVID-19, and Mayor Dave Bronson is quarantining after coming into shut contact with Robbins.

The mayor’s workplace confirmed Monday that Robbins contracted the virus and that Bronson is underneath quarantine.

Corey Allen Younger, spokesman for the mayor’s workplace, mentioned that Bronson is following the town’s COVID-19 mitigation coverage and quarantining for six days, and on the sixth day he might be examined for the virus.

Nobody else within the mayor’s workplace got here into shut contact with Robbins, Younger mentioned. The mayor’s contact with Robbins didn’t happen at a metropolis or public occasion, he mentioned.

“Nobody else has examined optimistic or proven indicators of signs,” Younger mentioned by electronic mail, including that the mayor is working from dwelling.

That is the second time this month that the mayor has quarantined following shut contact with a COVID-positive member of his administration. Earlier this month, Municipal Supervisor Amy Demboski and Municipal Legal professional Patrick Bergt tested positive for the virus.

On Monday, Bronson gave a “state of the town deal with” — by Zoom — to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce through the group’s “Make it Monday” discussion board.

“Please once more settle for my apologies for not being there in particular person as I’m falling (underneath) quarantine protocols,” Bronson advised the viewers.

Bronson had a mild bout of COVID-19 final fall and suffered long-term signs, he has mentioned.

From left, Mike Robbins, Mayor Dave Bronson, Jim Szczesniak, and Hugh Ashlock take heed to a speaker throughout a a press convention at metropolis corridor on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

The mayor staunchly opposes COVID-19 restrictions, together with the town’s current masking ordinance, which the Anchorage Meeting handed earlier this month. Bronson vetoed the ordinance requiring masks sporting in indoor public areas, however the Meeting shortly voted to override the veto.

Bronson and most members of his administration have attended Meeting conferences unmasked since he took workplace. The emergency masks ordinance exempts Bronson and his administration from the requirement, and members have mentioned that the ordinance was not about getting the mayor to wear a mask however fairly defending public well being and security.

Bronson has spoken out against vaccine mandates and against vaccination requirements for workers at native hospitals. In his marketing campaign, at Meeting conferences and in different public boards, he’s downplayed the severity of the pandemic and its impression on hospitals.

The mayor has additionally prevented strongly encouraging the sporting of masks or advocating for vaccinations, each confirmed to cut back virus transmission and the danger of significant sickness. As a substitute, he typically defers to Dr. Michael Savitt — his chief medical officer on the Anchorage Well being Division — on such issues.

Robbins didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Younger didn’t instantly reply to a query about whether or not Robbins is experiencing signs.

This can be a creating story. Test again for updates.

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