(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - Monday evening the Governor’s Office was informed of two presumptive positive cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 from two patients from the Fairbanks area. Both individuals are stable and do not require hospitalization. At this time these cases do not seem to be from community to community spread because both of these individuals had been traveling in the lower 48.

“I want to commend Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for its response to these two cases,” said Governor Dunleavy. “The preparation and training staff members have done not only in the recent weeks, but over the years has prepared them for today. We knew there would be cases in Alaska and over time we are expecting more cases.”

“Even as we expect more cases in Alaska, we must remember each case is a person diagnosed with COVID-19,” said Dr. Anne Zink. “Now and in the coming months we must always show compassion for the patients, but also the staff and the community. As we do this we must also remember the guidance we share with you in hopes of preventing and slowing the spread of this pandemic across our state.”

Just Sunday Alaskans received guidance for returning travelers. 

If you are at Medium Risk please take these precautions for travelers returning within 14 days from outside of Alaska (including the rest of the United States) you should: 

• Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work. 
• Minimize contact with people as much as possible, self-monitor and practice social distancing. 
• This may mean not going to work or school if you cannot safely be distanced from others – especially if you traveled in a location where community transmission is occurring.

Health Guidance for Returning Travelers in the Higher and Medium Risk Groups

• Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
• Do not take mass transportation during the time you are practicing social distancing.
• Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
• Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
• If you get sick with fever (>100.3°F), cough, or shortness of breath, please call your health care provider.
• If you seek medical care for other reasons, such as dialysis, call ahead to your doctor and tell them about your recent travel.

By taking these precautions as well as following previous guidance including regular hand washing, cleaning surfaces and avoiding large gatherings Alaskans can work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

All Alaskans should follow previous guidance including regular hand washing, cleaning surfaces and avoiding large gatherings (March 13 COVID-19 Health Alert: Recommendations for Keeping Communities Safe).

An individual associated with an Anchorage cargo flight earlier tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the Alaska Department of Transportation, the patient is a foreign national who developed a fever and respiratory symptoms shortly after arriving in Anchorage on March 11, 2020. The patient immediately contacted their physician and then went to Alaska Regional Hospital for testing.

Quoting an Alaska Department of Transportation news release, cargo flights to Anchorage strictly adhere to guidelines set out by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Cargo flights are completely separate from any passenger flights at Anchorage International Airport. Cargo crewmembers never come into contact with general passengers and they do not access the main terminal. Cargo crewmembers are cleared through U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at ANC’s North Terminal.

Cargo is not considered a health risk according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.

Also Monday afternoon, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) issued the State of Alaska’s COVID-19 Health Mandate 002 to prevent and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The mandate closes state operated libraries, archives, and museums to the public from March 17, 2020 through March 31, 2020. All public programs and events scheduled to be held within and around these facilities are suspended in this time. Staff will continue to serve the public through telephone, web, and other modes that preserve the highest degree of social distancing.

Additionally, residential school programs shall begin the process of sending students to their families and home communities. This process should be completed by March 27th.

A signed copy of the Governor's COVID-19 Health Mandate 002 can be found here.

In a Health Alert released Monday by Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer, State of Alaska, the Alaska Division of Health and Social Services, strongly advises (not mandated) that all Alaskans follow this guidance from U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the American College of Surgeons:  www.facs.org/about-acs/covid-19/information-for-surgeons. In light of this advice, all patients, providers, hospitals and surgical centers are requested to consider minimizing, postponing or canceling all non-urgent or elective procedures for three months to decrease the overall impact on the Alaska health care structure. 

Given Alaska’s distances and limited health care capacity, it is especially important to open acute health care beds for anticipated COVID-19 care. The State of Alaska believes that by delaying non emergent procedures, individuals will receive optimal care, writes Dr. Zink.

On March 13, 2020,under the authority of Governor Dunleavy’s emergency order, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) issued a policy to limit exposure to COVID-19 at long-term care facilities. DHSS is taking this action to protect Alaskans who are at greatest risk for the most severe outcomes of this disease.

“Our elders in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to this disease and our actions are intended to protect vulnerable adults.” said Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer. “Our desire is to establish a close partnership with long-term care facilities and we’re asking families, friends and others who work in and visit these facilities to help us protect the health and safety of our parents, grandparents and other loved ones.”

This guidance directs skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes – including those providing memory care – to incorporate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s minimal to moderate mitigation strategies for long-term care facilities with additional measures, as follows:

• Implement a screening process for anyone entering the facility who is not a resident or staff member. Screening should occur before, or immediately upon, entering the facility.
• Change visitor policies to further limit exposures to residents and staff, including: 
• Limit visitation to essential individuals (e.g., family members and medical providers).
• Screen all visitors for illness. If visitors have symptoms of respiratory illness/COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath) or have had recent travel to an area with known COVID-19 transmission, ask them to use an alternative means to visit with the resident, such as by phone or virtual visits.   
• Limit visitor movement in the facility.
• Keep a detailed log of all visitors and health care personnel (HCP) that includes information about which resident and areas of the facility they visit.
• Limit resident activities that involve community outings and group gatherings.
• Support residents’ access to socialization by offering lower-risk opportunities.

Related:

Governor Issues First COVID-19 Health Mandate; Alaska Legislature announces access to State Capitol limited to lawmakers, staff, and journalists
SitNews - March 13, 2020

Governor Issues Second COVID-19 Health Mandate (03/16/20)

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Office of Governor Michael Dunleavy
www.gov.alaska.gov

Alaska Department of Health & Social Services
www.dhss.alaska.gov

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