Metlakatla reports death linked to COVID-19 as community faces its worst outbreak to date Posted by Eric Stone | May 24, 2021 A view of Metlakatla on Annette Island, south of Ketchikan. (File photo by Leila Kheiry) The Southeast Alaska community of Metlakatla is facing its worst COVID-19 outbreak to date. Local authorities announced the second Metlakatla death linked to the disease on Monday. At the beginning of May, authorities in Metlakatla had reported only 13 cases of COVID-19 on the island since the start of the pandemic. Strict travel protocols, a mask mandate and distancing rules seemed to be working. But on May 10, five people in the community tested positive. And at first, Metlakatla Indian Community Mayor Reginald Atkinson says it seemed like authorities had a handle on the outbreak.