NOTE:

This blog is maintained as an effort to coordinate and collocate responding agencies' information for easier public access during events on the Kenai Peninsula. The information here is written and provided by the contributing agencies. NOTE: The blog will be updated as the need arises and may be dormant at times.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

04/30/20 City of Homer and South Peninsula Hospital - Joint News Release


CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RELEASE.

South Peninsula Hospital was notified today by the Alaska State Public Health Laboratory of two new positive cases of COVID-19 in individuals who were tested at the hospital earlier this week. One is currently hospitalized and the other remains at home. There is no information indicating these cases are related.

Public Health Nurses are conducting investigations on both individuals. One case involves community transmission and the other is still under investigation. The Public Health Nurses have started contact tracing and will reach out to any person who may have come into contact with these individuals. Public Health will notify each significant contact and offer instructions for preventing the spread of disease including quarantine, isolation if sick and getting tested.

“This reinforces the importance for all individuals to do their part to prevent the spread, especially as
more businesses and services reopen their doors and we start spending more time together. The
individual actions of each one of us are important to prevent, slow and disrupt the spread of the virus,
both in our community and across Alaska. Alaskans proved over the last month that our individual
behaviors can keep each other healthy and save lives. We must not lose sight of that.” Lorne Carroll,
Public Health Nurse.

The community is reminded to wear face covers in public, and keep close track of any interactions they have with others. Early tracing of COVID-19 close contacts and isolation can significantly reduce further spread. Minimizing the number of close interactions you have with others and keeping a list of them will assist contact tracing efforts. “It’s no time to let our guard down,” Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer of Alaska said during a news conference this week. “If you can’t name everyone you spent more than 10 minutes with in the last week, then you’re probably spending too much time with too many people.”

Ways to help stop the spread of COVID-19 include:
• Wearing a face cover when with others
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Keep at least six feet away from others.
• Stay home, and work from home as much as possible.
• If you are sick, even with mild symptoms, isolate yourself from others, get tested and call ahead
if you need medical attention.
• Follow all health mandates and guidance issued by Governor Dunleavy, DHSS, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and local governments and health authorities.

If you have arrived to Homer from a lower-48 or international destination, you must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days.

Testing for COVID-19 is available at no charge at South Peninsula Hospital, 24 hours a day in the main entrance parking lot. Call 235-0235 as you arrive to the parking lot for curbside, drive thru swabbing. As of today, South Peninsula Hospital has conducted 296 tests. 231 were negative, 3 were positive and 62 results are pending.

For more information related to COVID-19 and local resources, the City of Homer information line is staffed Monday through Friday 8am-5pm at 435-3197, and information and resources can be found online at www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/covid19. Statewide information and mandates can be found at covid19.alaska.gov.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

04/28/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough SITREP


Situation Report (SITREP) is a daily report that provides decision-makers and readers a quick understanding of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The SITREP provides clear, concise facts and resources.

Click below to read today's  report (today's information is highlighted in red letters):

CLICK HERE TO READ A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE ENTIRE REPORT

Saturday, April 25, 2020

04/25/20 K-Pen We Got This!

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management Incident Management Team (“team”) celebrates you and your loved ones’ efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Together, the sacrifices made to ensure the health and safety of others continue to be an incredible service about self.
Let’s remain vigilant as mandates change and we’re asked to reopen Alaska responsibly. Our team encourages residents and visitors throughout the borough to stay the course, to follow the CDC recommendations, to limit your exposure or exposure to others. After several weeks of supporting each other, we know what to do K-Pen. We got this!

Our team is prepared to respond and remains ready to serve the public. Weekly updates will be provided on KPBalerts every Wednesday at 7PM on the Community Conversation live stream.
For agency specific information, visit these links:

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Kenai Peninsula Borough Joint Information
Agencies’ Official Updates

Friday, April 24, 2020

04/24/20 KPEDD Survey on COVID-19 Impacts Due Friday May 1, 2020


The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District (KPEDD) is collecting follow-up information to identify the economic impact COVID-19 is having on our businesses. This peninsula-wide confidential survey will be open to responses effective immediately and close at 7pm on Friday, May 1st.

The overall data will be used to identify the needs of the region for the state and federal governments and will be shared. Please consider not only completing the survey but also pushing this email out to all concerned via email, websites, social media platforms, and any other available networks. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact KPEDD. Thank you for participating and allowing us to gather this data to assist in recovery efforts Borough-wide.  


Please note, this survey is identical to the original survey in order to accurately compare results from last month.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COVID-19 FOLLOW-UP SURVEY

Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District
14896 Kenai Spur Hwy
Kenai, AK 99611

907-242-9709
tim@kpedd.org


04/24/20 Call for Masks Continues on the Kenai Peninsula

The need for cloth face coverings is important as we continue to practice the CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Thanks to many individuals that dedicated countless hours to make masks or to donate materials too. Reach out to LoveINC to see how you can support this very important need. They are working with others in Homer, Soldotna and Seward to help with coordination and distribution.

LoveINC of the Kenai Peninsula
https://peninsulaloveinc.org
(907) 262-5140
peninsulaloveinc@gmail.com

04/24/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough SITREP





Situation Report (SITREP) is a daily report that provides decision-makers and readers a quick understanding of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The SITREP provides clear, concise facts and resources.

Click below to read today's  report (today's information is highlighted in red letters):

CLICK HERE TO READ A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE ENTIRE REPORT

04/24/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough Facilities Remain Closed to the Public








All borough facilities remain closed to the public until further notice. The re-opening phases, internal and external, will be aligned with the state health mandates. Initiating the rollout of these phases will take time and will be carefully executed to ensure staff and public safety. Employees are still conducting government business under modified work schedules during regular business hours Monday - Friday. You can find contact information by department or service area at www.kpb.us or call us at 907-262-4441 or 800-478-4441.

The Central Peninsula Landfill and transfer sites will continue to remain open to the public. Steps have been put in place for staff and the public’s protection. Please follow directional signage and staff instructions.

Dispatch and Fire/EMS will maintain operations; however, public will not be allowed to enter these facilities. First responders are following guidance specific to call outs. 

To learn more about the State of Alaska REOPEN ALASKA RESPONSIBLY PLAN and current health mandates, visit: https://covid19.alaska.gov/reopen/ 


#Coronavirus #COVID19 #KenaiPeninsula #Alaska #PreventionMatters #InOurHandsKPB

Thursday, April 23, 2020

04/23/20 A Community Message from Seward City Manager

The City of Seward is adopting the phase-in plan for reopening the State of Alaska and its individual communities.  Beginning April 24, 2020, the State of Alaska begins phase 1-A of its "Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan."  The terms of this plan and its impact on Seward businesses can be found in State of Alaska Public Health Mandate 16, which is posted on the City website at www.cityofseward.us.

As many Seward businesses move towards opened doors this weekend, please remember that our community remains vulnerable to COVID-19 and we must all continue to do our part to reduce the risk of infection among Seward's residents and its visitors.

In preparation for the City's own reopening of public facilities and City offices, the City extended public facility closures until May 3, 2020. The City administration and staff will be working diligently to develop a responsible reopening plan for City offices before May 3rd. The purpose of such a plan will be to ensure the public health and safety when entering City-owned and operated facilities, as well as to protect City employees from COVID-19 exposure.

While the City of Seward remains optimistic about the State of Alaska's "Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan," we will continue to diligently monitor the progression of COVID-19 within Seward and the social distancing and other measures necessary to combat it.  I would also like to express my sincere gratitude on behalf of the City to all the businesses who have submitted mutual aid agreements and/or posted business protocols and measures on their entrances.  Your collaboration and excellent corporate citizenship are essential during these difficult times. 

Thank you for keeping our residents and visitors safe.
Scott W. Meszaros, CM, CMC
Seward City Manager

410 Adams Street
P.O. Box 167
Seward, Alaska 99664

Office (907) 224-4047
Direct (907) 224-4012
Fax (907) 224-4038
e-mail:  smeszaros@cityofseward.net


04/23/20 Two new cases of COVID-19 announced in one Alaska community


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Clinton Bennett, DHSS, (907) 269-4996, clinton.bennett@alaska.gov

Two new cases of COVID-19 announced in one Alaska community


CORRECTION: Of the new cases, both are male. One is under the age of 10; and one is aged 60-69. 

April 23, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced two new cases of COVID-19 in Anchorage. This brings the total case count in Alaska to 337. These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 22 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.

Of the new cases, both are male and under the age of 10. There have been a total of 36 hospitalizations and nine deaths with no new hospitalizations or deaths reported yesterday. Recovered cases now total 209, including 13 new recovered cases recorded yesterday.

As Alaska begins the process of gradually reopening, increasing the number of people being tested for COVID-19 is as important as ever. Testing capacity has recently increased and sites are now available in most communities across the state.

“We are encouraging anyone who is experiencing even mild symptoms of COVID-19 to isolate themselves immediately and call a local health care provider for a referral to get tested,” said Alaska’s State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin. “The initial symptoms are often mild, and can include any combination of the following: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, diminished sense of taste or smell, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle/joint aches, nausea, rash, runny nose, or sore throat.”

CLICK HERE TO READ A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT.

04/23/20 COVID-19 Screening/Testing Available at Kenai Public Health Center

Kenai Public health is offering screening and testing for Coronavirus. Patients must meet specific criteria for testing. For questions or to see if you are eligible for testing, please call to speak to a public health nurse.

All testing must be pre-approved and authorized by a public health nurse via telephone. Scheduled visits only and no walk-ins.

Testing will be curbside at Kenai Public Health ~ 630 Barnacle Way Suite A Kenai, Alaska 99611. Please call #907-335-3400
Hours 9am - 4pm

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

04/22/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough SITREP







Situation Report (SITREP) is a daily report that provides decision-makers and readers a quick understanding of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The SITREP provides clear, concise facts and resources.

Click below to read today's  report (today's information is highlighted in red letters):

CLICK HERE TO READ A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE ENTIRE REPORT

04/22/20 Six new cases of COVID-19 announced in three Alaska communities


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Clinton Bennett, DHSS, (907) 269-4996, clinton.bennett@alaska.gov


Six new cases of COVID-19 announced in three Alaska communities


April 22, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced six new cases of COVID-19 in three Alaska communities – Anchorage (4), Wasilla (1) and Juneau (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 335.

These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 21 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.

Of the new cases, two are male and four are female. Three are under the age of 10; one is aged 10-19; and two are aged 20-29. There have been a total of 36 hospitalizations and nine deaths with no new hospitalizations or deaths reported yesterday. Recovered cases now total 196, including 28 new recovered cases recorded yesterday.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

04/21/20 Eight new cases of COVID-19 announced in four Alaska communities








FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Clinton Bennett, DHSS, (907) 269-4996, clinton.bennett@alaska.gov

Eight new cases of COVID-19 announced in four Alaska communities

April 21, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced eight new cases of COVID-19 in four Alaska communities – Anchorage (4), Juneau (2), Eagle River (1), and Ketchikan (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 329.

These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 20 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.

Of the new cases, six are male and two are female. One is aged 10-19; four are aged 20-29; two are aged 50-59; and one is aged 60-69. There have been a total of 36 hospitalizations and nine deaths with no new hospitalizations or deaths reported yesterday. Recovered cases now total 168, including seven new recovered cases recorded yesterday.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT.

Monday, April 20, 2020

04/20/20 OEM SITREP To be Updated Wednesday April 22nd


The Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management will post the next scheduled situation report the evening of Wednesday April 22, 2020.

04/20/20 City of Seward Community Situation Report


CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT

This Community Situation Report is intended to keep the community of Seward aware of
resources available to them while being challenged with restrictions placed upon them due to the Coronavirus. Updates indicated in RED

04/20/20 Local Trails Remain Closed on the Kenai


CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
When's a trail not a trail? When it's recovering from fire and closed to hiking. Skyline, Kenai River Trail, Hideout and the middle of Seven Lakes Trail are all in this closed, ready for repair status. Here's the Burned Area Emergency Response crew to tell us more...

More details are in Friday 04/17/20 Refuge Notebook article featured in the local newspaper Peninsula Clarion - Click HERE

🎥 Images of burned trees and a treacherous trail appear as two US Fish and Wildlife employees describe the trail closure situation at the Kenai National #WildlifeRefuge.

04/20/20 Two new cases of COVID-19 announced in two Alaska communities


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Clinton Bennett, DHSS, (907) 269-4996, clinton.bennett@alaska.gov

Two new cases of COVID-19 announced in two Alaska communities

April 20, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced two new cases of COVID-19 in two Alaska communities – Palmer (1) and Chugiak (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 321.

These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 19 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.

Of the new cases, one is male and one is female. One is aged 30-39; and one is aged 60-69. There have been a total of 36 hospitalizations and nine deaths with no new hospitalizations or deaths reported yesterday. Recovered cases now total 161, including eight new recovered cases recorded yesterday.

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

04/19/20 Five new cases of COVID-19 announced in three Alaska communities



Five new cases of COVID-19 announced in three Alaska communities


April 19, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced five new cases of COVID-19 in three Alaska communities – Anchorage (3), Palmer (1), and Petersburg (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 319.

These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 18 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.


Of the new cases, three are male and two are female. Two are aged 30-39; one is aged 40-49; and two
are aged 60-69. There have been a total of 36 hospitalizations and nine deaths with no new
hospitalizations or deaths reported yesterday. Recovered cases now total 153, including six new
recovered cases recorded yesterday.

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT.

Saturday, April 18, 2020

04/18/20 Five new cases of COVID-19 announced in four Alaska communities


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clinton Bennett, DHSS, (907) 269-4996, clinton.bennett@alaska.gov

Five new cases of COVID-19 announced in four Alaska communities
April 18, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced five new cases of COVID-19 in four Alaska communities – Anchorage (1), Soldotna (2), Palmer (1) and Wasilla. (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 314.

These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 17 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.comOf the new cases, two are male and three are female. One is aged 10-19; one is aged 30-39; two are
aged 40-49; and one is aged 70-79. There have been a total of 36 hospitalizations and nine deaths with no new hospitalizations and no new deaths yesterday. Recovered cases now total 147, including 19 new recovered cases recorded yesterday.

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT.

04/18/2020 The How-To on the Kenai Peninsula: Services and Resources

Finding local information can be a bit overwhelming. The Borough Office of Emergency Management maintains two platforms dedicated to providing accurate information: (1) the interagency blog, hosting municipalities and agencies' official information at www.kpboem.com and (2) the KPB Informational Hub, containing local resources from businesses' services to health & wellness topics specific to the communities on K-Pen. Take a look, explore the options, add your business or find and leave feedback. www.covid19.kpb.us

#KenaiPeninsula #Alaska #PreventionMatters #InOurHandsKPB

Friday, April 17, 2020

04/17/20 Access Local Businesses on the Kenai Peninsula

The Borough Office of Emergency Management maintains the KPB Informational Hub, containing local resources from businesses' hours
of operation and services on the K-Pen.

Businesses can add their information with the quick input option located on the MAPS TAB. Take a look, explore the options in your community and leave feedback too.
www.covid19.kpb.us

#KenaiPeninsula #Alaska #PreventionMatters #InOurHandsKPB

4/17/20 KPB Emergency Operation Center Situation Report



Situation Report (SITREP) is a daily report that provides decision-makers and readers a quick understanding of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The SITREP provides clear, concise facts and resources.

Click below to read today's  report (today's information is highlighted in red letters):

CLICK HERE TO READ A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE ENTIRE REPORT

04/17/2020 Seward SIT Report


This Community Situation Report is intended to keep the community of Seward updated and aware of resources available to them while being challenged with restrictions placed upon them due to the Coronavirus.

Click HERE for the full report

4/17/20 Nine new cases of COVID-19 announced in three Alaska communities


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Clinton Bennett, DHSS, (907) 269-4996, clinton.bennett@alaska.gov
Nine new cases of COVID-19 announced in three Alaska communities
April 17, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced nine new cases of COVID-19 in three Alaska communities – Anchorage (7), Kenai (1), and Juneau (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 309.
These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 16 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.
Of the new cases, two are male and seven are female. Two are aged 10-19; one is aged 20-29; two are aged 30-39; one is aged 40-49; one is aged 50-59; and two are aged 60-69. There have been a total of 36 hospitalizations and nine deaths with one new hospitalization and no new deaths reported yesterday.
Stay informed
Questions about COVID-19?
  • For general questions and assistance, please call 2-1-1.
  • For the general public, questions regarding DHSS COVID response, including mandates and alerts, can be sent to covidquestions@alaska.gov.
  • For DHSS media inquiries, please contact clinton.bennett@alaska.gov.
###

04/17/20 KPB Alert Notification Test Makes 30,000 Phone Calls Across the Kenai Peninsula


UPDATE AS OF 04/17/20 1:30 PM: On Wednesday April 15, the Borough Office of Emergency Management (OEM) conducted a test of the KPB Alerts system, making phone calls and text messages to all landlines and registered cell phones throughout the Borough, resulting in almost 30,000 phone calls placed in just more than an hour. The Borough in cooperation with the telecommunications vendor, is analyzing the results of the test to ensure our ultimate goal of having multiple ways to alert the public to an emergency or other situation requiring immediate action. Our thanks to the over 250 people that reported the results of the test online or called OEM. These reports are used as a secondary check to the data reported by the phone system. If you have not registered your mobile number to receive emergency alerts, please do so at alerts.kpb.us

Thursday, April 16, 2020

04/16/20 Love, Inc of the Kenai Peninsula - A Clearing House Matching Donations with Needs

Giving and supporting for each other continues to make the Kenai Peninsula Borough a great place to live. Want to help or need assistance during the COVID-19 response? Love, Inc. of the Kenai Peninsula is matching donations with requests for assistance to help individuals in need.  Contact Love, Inc. today 907-262-5140 or peninsulaloveinc@gmail.com.

Business hours are Monday - Friday 9:00AM to 4:00PM.

4/16/20 Seven new cases of COVID-19 announced in three Alaska communities


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Clinton Bennett, DHSS, (907) 269-4996, clinton.bennett@alaska.gov
Seven new cases of COVID-19 announced in three Alaska communities
April 16, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced seven new cases of COVID-19 in three Alaska communities – Anchorage (4), Kodiak (1), and Juneau (2). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 300.
These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 15 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.
The Kodiak case is the first case in the Kodiak Island Borough. Of the new cases, five are male and two are female. One is under the age of 10; two are aged 20-29; two are aged 30-39; one is aged 50-59; and one is aged 60-69. There have been a total of 35 hospitalizations and nine deaths with one new hospitalization and no new deaths yesterday.
Stay informed
Questions about COVID-19?
  • For general questions and assistance, please call 2-1-1.
  • For the general public, questions regarding DHSS COVID response, including mandates and alerts, can be sent to covidquestions@alaska.gov.
  • For DHSS media inquiries, please contact clinton.bennett@alaska.gov.
###

4/16/20 KPB Emergency Operation Center Situation Report





Situation Report (SITREP) is a daily report that provides decision-makers and readers a quick understanding of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The SITREP provides clear, concise facts and resources.

Click here to read today's  report (today's information is highlighted in red letters):

CLICK HERE TO READ A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE ENTIRE REPORT

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

4/15/20 COVID-19 Health Mandate 015: Services by Health Care Providers

**COVID-19 HEALTH MANDATE**

Issued: April 15, 2020
By: Governor Mike Dunleavy
Commissioner Adam Crum, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer, State of Alaska
To slow the spread of COVID-19, the State of Alaska is issuing its fifteenth health mandate, based on its authority under the Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy on March 11, 2020.
While health care is an essential service, there is also the risk of coronavirus spreading in health care facilities and to vulnerable populations. The suspension of non-essential procedures and health care have been beneficial in slowing the spread of the disease. The benefits of suspension must also be balanced with delayed health care and other health outcomes.
Health Mandate 015 is being issued by Governor Mike Dunleavy and the State of Alaska. Mandate 015 will go into effect in phases, with Section II going into effect April 20, 2020 and Section IV going into effect May 4, 2020; however, the State of Alaska reserves the right to amend the Mandate at any time.
This Mandate supersedes Mandate 005 and 006 and affects the health care providers directly addressed in Mandate 009.
Health Mandate 015 – Services by Health Care Providers
I. Applicability: This Mandate applies to the following heath care facilities and health care providers:
  1. Heath Care Facilities
    1. Hospitals, private, municipal, state, or federal, including tribal
    2. Independent diagnostic testing facilities
    3. Residential psychiatric treatment centers
    4. Skilled and intermediate nursing facilities
    5. Kidney disease treatment, including free-standing facilities
    6. Ambulatory surgery centers
    7. Free-standing birth centers
    8. Home health agencies
    9. Hospice
    10. Rural health clinics defined under AS 47.32.900(21) and 7 AAC 12.450
    11. A health care provider office (for reference see 7 AAC 07.001)
  2. Health Care Providers as Defined in Statute
    1. Acupuncturists
    2. Ambulatory Surgery Centers
    3. Assistant Behavior Analysts
    4. Athletic Trainers
    5. Audiologists/Speech-Language Pathologists
    6. Behavior Analysts
    7. Certified Nurse Aides
    8. Chiropractors
    9. Dental Hygienists
    10. Dentists
    11. Dietitians
    12. Hospitals
    13. Hearing Aid Dealers
    14. Health Aides
    15. Long-Term Care Facilities
    16. Marital and Family Therapists
    17. Massage Therapists
    18. Midwives
    19. Mobile Intensive Care Paramedics
    20. Naturopaths
    21. Nurses
    22. Nutritionists
    23. Occupational Therapy Assistants
    24. Opticians
    25. Optometrists
    26. Pharmacists
    27. Pharmacy Technicians
    28. Physical Therapists
    29. Occupational Therapists
    30. Physician Assistants
    31. Physicians/Osteopathic Physicians
    32. Podiatrists
    33. Professional Counselors
    34. Psychologists
    35. Psychological Associates
    36. Religious Healing Practitioners
    37. Social Workers
    38. Veterinarians
    39. Students training for a licensed profession who are required to receive training in a health care facility as a condition of licensure
II. Health Care Delivery
Section II goes into effect April 20, 2020
  1. Health care facilities and providers defined in statute and listed in Section I, will be able to resume services that require minimal protective equipment and follow the guidance below.
    1. Every effort should continue to be made to deliver care without being in the same physical space, such as utilizing telehealth, phone consultation, and physical barriers between providers and patients.
    2. All health care, delivered both in and out of health care facilities, (this includes hospitals, surgical centers, long-term care facilities, clinic and office care, as well as home care) shall deploy universal masking procedures in coordination with the facility infection control program. This may be a combination of cloth face coverings (for employees not present for provision of services or procedures, such as front desk staff) and surgical masks for those involved in non-aerosolizing direct-patient care.
    3. Regardless of symptoms, all health care facilities should screen all patients for recent illness, travel, fever, or recent exposure to COVID-19, and to the extent that is possible, begin testing all admitted patients.
    4. Every effort shall be made to minimize aerosolizing procedure (such as a nerve block over deep sedation or intubation).
    5. Other urgent or emergent procedures with an increased risk of exposure, such as deliveries, dental work, aerosolizing procedures such as suctioning, intubation, and breathing treatments, should have patients tested for SARS CoV-2 prior to the procedure or birth, to the extent that is reasonably possible, after considering available testing capacity and any other relevant constraints. In the alternative, clinicians should use rigorous screening procedures and treat suspicious patients as if they are positive for COVID-19.
    6. It is the duty of the provider to ensure the health considerations of staff and patients. This includes the health of the provider, ensuring providers not come to work while ill, minimizing travel of providers, and adequate personal protective equipment. They are also encouraged to utilize the following means of protection:
      1. Pre-visit telephonic screening and questionnaire.
      2. Entry screening.
      3. Lobbies and waiting rooms with defined and marked social distancing and limited occupancy.
      4. Other personal and environmental mitigation efforts such as gloves, exceptional hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and enhanced airflow.
III. Urgent and Emergent Services
  1. Health care services that are urgent or emergent should continue, but with the enhanced screening and safety measures listed in Section II.
    1. In addition to emergent surgeries and procedures that cannot be delayed without significant risk to life, surgeries and procedures are permitted to proceed if delay is deemed to cause significant impact on health, livelihood, or quality of life. Each facility should review these procedures with its task force that was created in the April 7, 2020 revision to COVID-19 Health Mandate 005. Surgeries and procedures that can be delayed without posing a significant risk to health, livelihood, or quality of life must be postponed until further notice.
    2. All patients coming to surgery should be tested for SARS CoV-2 within 48 hours of their procedure. If positive, all procedures should be considered for delay, and specifically those procedures not urgent or emergent, as defined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), should be postponed or canceled. If a facility is unable to test patients within 48 hours of their procedure, facilities should use rigorous screening procedures and treat suspicious patients as if they are positive for COVID-19.
IV. Provision for Resuming Non-Urgent/Non-Emergent Elective Services
  1. Health care services that cannot be delayed beyond eight weeks without posing a significant risk to quality of life may resume Monday May 4, 2020 if the following conditions are met:
    1. Health care delivery can meet all of the standards outlined in Section II of this mandate.
    2. Health care is delivered by a provider listed in statute (see Section I).
    3. Health care can be safely done with a surgical mask, eye protection and gloves.
    4. If the procedure puts the health care worker at increased risk such as deliveries, dental work, or aerosolizing procedures such as suctioning, intubation, or breathing treatments then a negative PCR for Sars-CoV-2 must be obtained within 48 hours prior to the procedure.
    5. There are to be no visitors in health care facilities except for: end-of-life visits; a parent of a minor; a support person for labor and delivery settings; and only one (1) spouse or caregiver that resides with the patient will be allowed into the facility during the day of a surgery or procedure and at the time of patient discharge to allow for minimal additional exposure. If a caregiver does not reside with the patient, they can be with the patient at the time of discharge. Any of the allowed visitors must wear a fabric face covering.
    6. Workers must maintain social distancing of at least six feet from non-patients and must minimize contact with the patient.
    7. Exceptional environmental mitigation strategies must be maintained, including the protection of lobbies and front desk staff.
    8. Unlicensed assistive personnel necessary to procedures under this section may be included in service delivery.
V. Other Considerations
  1. Patients traveling for medical procedures and health care services is allowed under Health Mandate 012 to travel within Alaska as a critical personal need.
  2. Patients whose communities have established quarantines for return from intra-state travel as outlined in Attachment B – Alaska Small Community Emergency Travel Order, should have a plan in place, developed with their local community, for return home after their procedures.
  3. Transportation may be arranged on behalf of individuals who must travel to receive medical care and must be able to return home following the medical treatment or must arrange for their own accommodations if they are unable to return home.
  4. Every effort should be made to minimize physical interaction and encourage alternative means such as telehealth and videoconferencing. For many licensed health care professionals, this will mean continued delays in care or postponing care.
  5. Every effort should be made in the outpatient and ambulatory care setting to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and follow the following guidelines:
  6. Dental work carries an added risk of spreading COVID-19, especially to the dentist who can spread it to others and so dental guidance should be followed and are listed here:
  7. Dialysis centers provide life-saving work, but it is also a place where high-risk individuals congregate. They need to follow the following guidelines:

*** State of Alaska reserves the right to change this mandate at any time ***
THIS MANDATE SUPERSEDES ANY AND ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANDATES OR ORDERS PUT INTO EFFECT BY BOROUGHS, MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, VILLAGES, AND TRIBES.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit coronavirus.alaska.gov
State of Alaska COVID-19 Mandate 015
Mandates available at https://gov.alaska.gov/home/covid19-healthmandates/