COVID-19 Update for Alaska’s Health Care Providers

Alaska DOH sent this bulletin at 02/29/2020 06:58 PM AKST

COVID-19

COVID-19 Update for Alaska’s Health Care Providers

Updated February 29, 2020

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation.  We want to make sure you have the latest information.  Here are key updates for Alaska’s health care providers.

  • NO cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Alaska.
  • The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extensive resources available for health care providers on their COVID-19 Information for Healthcare Professionals webpage.
  • The DHSS Section of Epidemiology is continuing to host COVID-19 Situational Awareness calls for health care providers on a regular basis. To participate in those calls, email DHSSEOC@alaska.gov
  • The Section of Epidemiology forwarded CDC’s HAN Update to Alaska’s health care providers on February 28 through the Alaska Public Health Alert Network. The HAN reflects the CDC’s recent changes in the definition of PUI (persons under investigation). To subscribe to AK PHAN alerts, click here.
  • The current PUI guidance broadens the relevant travel history outside of China to include all “affected geographic areas” where sustained community transmission has been identified (i.e., a country/region with a CDC Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice).
  • The PUI criteria are intended to serve as guidance for evaluation. In consultation with public health departments, patients should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the need for testing.
  • Testing for novel coronavirus is now available at Alaska Public Health Laboratories. Read the recent DHSS press release for more information.
  • Health care providers should contact SOE at 907-269-8000, or 800-478-0084 after-hours, to report Persons Under Investigation (PUI) and to obtain approval to test patients for COVID-19 at the State Public Health Laboratory.
  • Please check the DHSS Human Coronavirus website and the CDC COVID-19 website frequently for the latest information.