Alaska Department of Health COVID-19 Updates for Providers

Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 03/05/2020 09:30 AM AKST

COVID-19

COVID-19 Update for Alaska’s Health Care Providers

Updated March 5, 2020

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is closely monitoring and responding to 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.
  • NEW: The Section of Epidemiology issued an Alaska Public Health Alert Network (PHAN) on Wednesday, March 4, alerting health care providers in Alaska about new CDC guidance (March 4) that expanded testing criteria to a wider group of symptomatic patients. The Alaska PHAN also provides important details for health care providers about our current in-state testing capacity. Please read this PHAN if you haven’t already and subscribe to AK PHAN alerts by clicking here.
  • NEW: Today, March 5, from 10-11 a.m. Alaska time (2-3 pm Eastern time), the CDC is offering a COCA Call: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update—What Clinicians Need to Know to Prepare for COVID-19 in the United States. During this call, clinicians will learn what they can do to prepare for COVID-19 including identifying persons under investigation, applying infection prevention and control measures, assessing risks for exposures, optimizing the use of personal protective equipment supplies, and managing and caring for patients (inpatient and at home).
  • 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
  • To learn more about recent testing available at Alaska Public Health Laboratories, read this DHSS press release from Feb. 28.
  • 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.