03/15/2020 Travelers Returning to Alaska Asked to Practice Prevention

For more information visit Alaska Department of Health & Social Services web page coronavirus.alaska.gov

Travelers returning to Alaska are asked to use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to slow the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Practice the six-feet distance between you and others, wash your hands regularly (doing so as soon as you get home is a good practice too), please stay home if you are sick.

Those returning from countries listed on the “Level 3 Travel Health Notice" are being asked by the CDC to stay home for 14 days upon their return. These Level 3 areas have widespread or ongoing community spread of the illness. For more information visit the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services at coronavirus.alaska.gov.

There is also a phone number for basic health questions too. Call 2-1-1 to speak with an information referral specialists. They are equipped to take and triage these calls, and to refer callers to appropriate resources. The 2-1-1 call center staff also includes an Alaska Respond volunteer. These volunteers are licensed medical professionals and can help answer basic health questions. For Alaskans who live in areas where 2-1-1 can't be accessed, please call 800-478-2221.

Alaska Department of Health & Social Services webpage: coronavirus.alaska.gov
Facebook page @alaska.dhss and Twitter page Alaska_DHSS

Central Peninsula Hospital – Soldotna, AK webpage: https://www.cpgh.org/corona
South Peninsula Hospital – Homer, AK webpage: https://www.sphosp.org/
Providence Seward Medical Center – Seward, AK webpage: https://www.providence.org/

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has a dedicated webpage for staff, students and families: https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/students_parents.aspx?id=41540

03/13/20 KPB School District Update

Online News Release

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Friday, March 13, 2020 COVID-19 UPDATE

**COVID-19 Health Mandate for Schools**
Friday evening the State of Alaska extended spring break for students. K-12 students in Alaska will not attend school March 16, 2020, through March 27, 2020. All after school activities are cancelled. The KPBSD will provide additional information to families on Monday about this State Mandate 1.2. Our understanding is that these missed days will not be added to the school calendar.

Read: Commissioner Johnson’s Memorandum to Alaska Public School Families and Staff: COVID-10 Planning and Preparatory Period for Alaska’s Public Schools Starting March 16, 2020

KPBSD STAFF:
KPBSD staff will return to work on March 16 or 17 depending on job type. Details & instructions were emailed to all staff on Friday, March 13, 2020.

MEALS!
A student nutrition services meal delivery plan is in the works to begin Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Details for families to respond will be available by Sunday.

03/13/20 Kenai Peninsula Borough Recreational Service Areas - Temporary Closures March 16 - 22, 2020

Effective Monday 03/16/2020, all buildings at the North Peninsula Recreation (North Pen) in Nikiski Alaska and at the Sea Otter Community Center (SOCC) in Seldovia Alaska will be closed to the public March 16 – 22nd. The borough administration is aware that this decision may create added hardships to families that already have to find a place to take students as a result of the extended spring break.

The decision to close these facilities is in support of reducing the spread of COVID-19 virus. Minimizing large group gatherings and keeping yourself at a distance of six feet from others (social distancing) are known recommendations to effectively reduce the spread of the virus. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and the Center for Disease Control are emphasizing this and other means to reduce the possible exposure to vulnerable individuals. These individuals include our senior citizens and those that already have weakened immune systems. Please see the trusted resources below.

Staff at North Pen and SOCC will remain on current work schedules, which may be re-evaluated if an extended closure is required. Updates will be provided to ensure good communications among administration and staff.

In closing, critical services such as solid waste transfer facilities, fire & emergency services service areas and emergency dispatch services provided by the Soldotna Public Safety Communication Center will continue service the public and maintain regular operations.

Alaska Department of Health & Social Services:
Facebook page @alaska.dhss and Twitter page Alaska_DHSS
Residents may call the statewide information number 2-1-1 or 800-478-2221
Alaska Department of Health & Social Services dedicated webpage: coronavirus.alaska.gov
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has a dedicated webpage for staff, students and families: https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/students_parents.aspx?id=41540

MEDIA: Please contact Brenda Ahlberg, Kenai Peninsula Borough Public Information Officer for additional information 907-231-6505.

03/12/20 KPBSD School Closure for Students

►ALERT: The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will close all 42 schools to students March 16-20, 2020, to assist with social distancing, and slowing the COVID-19 infection curve in our diverse communities.  Read Superintendent O'Brien's March 12, 2020 letter

KPBSD staff will receive an update about when to report to work by the end of the day on Friday, March 13, 2020, through district email.

Additional information: COVID-19 and KPBSD

03/06/20: Kenai Peninsula Borough continues to support healthcare preparedness and prevention efforts

The Borough Office of Emergency Management is part of a joint information system that has been created by the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services. The state-wide system includes local, state and non-government agencies working together to distribute correct information regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Residents may call the information number
2-1-1. For Alaskans that cannot access 2-1-1, please call 800-478-2221. The phone numbers are free, confidential referral and information helplines. The information referral specialists are currently equipped to take and triage calls, and to refer callers to appropriate resources according to their current procedures. Starting Monday, March 9, an Alaska Respond volunteer will be in the 2-1-1 call center; the Alaska Respond volunteers are licensed medical professionals that lend their healthcare expertise to call center staff. For Alaskans who live in areas where 2-1-1 cannot be accessed, please call 800-478-2221.

Other trusted sources are listed below:

• Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Facebook page @alaska.dhss and
  Twitter page @Alaska_DHSS
• Alaska Department of Health & Social Services dedicated webpage: coronavirus.alaska.gov
• Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has a dedicated webpage for staff, students and families: https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/students_parents.aspx?id=41540

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907-262-INFO (4636) or EMAIL oem@kpb.us
Facebook and Twitter @KPBalerts
Pages: www.kpboem.com or www.kpb.us

Media contact: Brenda Ahlberg, Public Information Officer 907-231-6505

2/28/2020 5:00PM Kenai Peninsula Borough Monitors Coronavirus and Makes Preparedness Plans

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is actively monitoring the COVID-19 coronavirus and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Alaska Department of Health & Social Services. There are no cases in Alaska.

The Borough is currently refining continuity of operations plans (COOP) to ensure that essential services can continue. Whether it is the coronavirus or other areawide incident, a COOP plan identifies the critical resources needed to maintain public services. During the month of March, the Borough will be asking cities, port officials, hospitals, Tribal entities and non-government agencies to come together to refine existing pandemic plans, identify and resolve potential gaps in those plans, and to involve representatives from the whole community in the process.  The Borough does not have public health powers, and will be asking for representatives from Alaska Department of Health & Social Services to work with us as the situation continues to evolve.  Borough residents can keep up to date with developments and preparedness tips at http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/Human-Coronavirus.aspx

 # # #

907-262-INFO (4636) or EMAIL oem@kpb.us

Facebook and Twitter @KPBalerts

Pages: www.kpboem.com or www.kpb.us

Media contact: Brenda Ahlberg, Public Information Officer 907-231-6505