Statewide COVID-19 Communications: April 27-May 9 Communications Resources

Alaska DOH sent this bulletin at 05/10/2020 02:02 PM AKDT

COVID-19: State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services

Catch Salmon Not Covid

Illustration by Ellen Devine, DHSS Public Information, ellen.grover@alaska.gov

COVID-19 Communications Updates April 27-May 9

 

Message from the editors

This update covers from April 27-May 9. We are aiming for regular weekly communication with this group but some updates may cover longer time spans. If you would like items included in this email (sent to 200+ COVID-19 communicators statewide), please email items to elizabeth.manning@alaska.gov or kathleen.griffith@alaska.gov with the subject: COVID-19 Week in Review.

Thank you, Elizabeth Manning and Kathy Griffith, DHSS Public Information 

 

IMPORTANT: Survey and Resources from Alicia Nelson, ANTHC

Alicia Nelson, Health Communications Specialist, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, has created a poll on COVID-19 messaging for long-term change. We discussed this on recent calls and Alicia will be sharing results next week. You can respond to the short 3-question anonymous poll here. Alicia also shared a communication tool that she has developed and will update based on survey results: COVID Communications Tool: Sample Facilitator Guide for Interviews & Focus Groups.

If you have any questions, please email Alicia Nelson, arnelson1@anthc.org.

 

Operation Business Public Health Advocacy

Dr. Mark Simon in Fairbanks presented information about a program he and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital have created in Fairbanks aimed at helping businesses operate safely to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Modeled on a concept known as academic detailing, health care providers provide guidance and assistance to businesses to help them adjust business practices to keep everyone safe and prevent COVID-19 from spreading in the community. Mark and DHSS are exploring the idea of making this work available to communities statewide by packaging it as a statewide toolkit. On the call we have also shared some ideas about recognizing businesses that are making good efforts at being COVID-conscious, or COVID-smart. 

 

Case Counts

This week in review covers case counts from Monday, April 27 through Saturday, May 9. Data is reported the following day on the website and in the daily DHSS press release:

  • 34 new positive cases (379 total) – plus one new nonresident case (not counted in total)

  • 1 new death (10 total)

  • 2 new hospitalizations (38 total)

  • The U.S. and Alaska are still currently in the acceleration phase of this epidemic.

  • Alaska has the fewest number of positive cases of all 50 states.

  • Adjusted per capita, Alaska has third lowest number of positive cases of all 50 states.

  • Alaska has the second lowest number of deaths. Third lowest ranking per capita.

  • Per capita, Alaska is ninth highest for testing

  • Rankings are from www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

New cases are reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. daily and are posted by noon to the data dashboard at coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.

Nonresident case in a fisheries worker: The City of Cordova issued a press release on May 6 about a positive case in a nonresident who had recently arrived in Cordova to work seasonally for Ocean Beauty Seafoods. Unified Command also issued a press release about the case that included information about the work being done to support critical industries like fishing to continue while providing strong protections for communities.

10th death: The new death was reported in the May 6 DHSS daily case count press release. The person who died was a male over the age of 80 from Anchor Point who had preexisting medical conditions. He tested positive for COVID-19 at South Peninsula Hospital when he was admitted and where he subsequently died. This brings the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 to 10. Our condolences to his family and loved ones. DHSS is working on messaging about how death certificates are coded when COVID-19 is one of several causes of death listed by the health care provider on the death certificate. Per national guidance, COVID-19 should be reported on the death certificate for all decedents where the disease is assumed to have caused or contributed to death, according to the attending physician’s best judgment. It is important to underscore that it can be difficult to determine the extent to which a person has mild COVID symptoms when they have multiple underlying conditions. DHSS lists COVID deaths the same way we do all other causes of death with the same standard format, and we recognize that sometimes the contributing causes of death can be subtle in people who were suffering from serious illness.

 

Phase II of the Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan

Governor Mike Dunleavy announced Phase Two of the Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan on Wednesday, May 6. It took effect Friday, May 8. Here are some highlights from the May 6 press release:

  • 50% capacity for retail, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses outlined in Phase One. Walk-ins permitted.

  • 50% capacity, or up to 20 patrons, for personal care services. Reservations only.

  • 50 person capacity for social and religious gatherings.

  • 25% capacity for fitness centers. Walk-ins permitted.

  • 50% capacity for swimming pools. Walk-ins permitted.

  • 25% capacity for bars, libraries, and museums. Walk-ins permitted.

Additional guidance can be found at covid19.alaska.gov/reopen/. The business sector guidance documents have also been updated, or added in the case of new sectors that are opening now. An overview of the phases can be found here: covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Phased-Reopen-Doc.pdf The Frequently Asked Questions page now has search capability at covid19.alaska.gov/faq/ Send new questions to covidquestions@alaska.gov.

 

New DHSS Testing Guidance

The Alaska Section of Epidemiology continues to update Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Testing in Alaska.  Key points in new guidance issued on May 6 include: 

  • Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested. Symptoms of COVID-19 may include any of the following: fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, decreased appetite, diminished sense of taste or smell, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle/joint aches, nausea, rash, rigors, runny nose, sore throat, or sputum production.
  • Anyone with symptoms who is being tested for COVID-19 should be informed to act as if they have COVID-19 until a result comes back. SOE guidance on what outpatients should do if they have COVID-19 or if a COVID-19 test is pending is available here.
  • CDC guidance for discontinuation of home isolation for persons with COVID-19 is available here.

 

Data Updates

Please note that changes to the DHSS data dashboard will be rolled out Monday. While the average visitor to the site may not notice any outward differences, the level of detail available through the raw data downloads is being reduced to comply with health information privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Alaska state law. The following changes will occur: 

  • The raw public use data file "COVID Cases Public" will no longer be available.
  • The data will still be available in the data files under the tag titled "Graphics Table," where each graphic on the data hub will have its own summary table.
  • These changes will not change the graphics that display, but may affect other local EOC data hubs that pull data from the DHSS data hub. 

 

New AK Responders Relief Line

DHSS launched an Alaska Responders Relief Line to provide behavioral health support and practical help for health care providers and those working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response who are being personally and professionally impacted by the pandemic. The line is specifically designed to support first responders experiencing behavioral health issues (crisis, anxiety, isolation, depression). It is anonymous, available 24/7, and staffed by behavioral health colleagues who can provide empathetic and nonjudgmental support.

AK Reponders Relief Line

Circle of Support

A COVID-19 Family Plan establishes a circle of support for families with children for what will happen if the caregiver(s) in the family become ill with COVID-19. The plan includes family members, friends and other trusted people who can help care for children.

Key elements of the plan include: 1) identify your circle of support, 2) plan ahead with your circle of support, 3) know when to activate your plan, 4) find help outside your circle of support and 5) a worksheet that tracks caregivers, critical contacts and a checklist for the child’s go-bag.

The document is available through the covid19.alaska.gov website under the “Planning for Families and Children” link. It’s also available for download directly at: covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19-Planning-for-Families-with-Children-05012020.pdf

For sharing: Facebook | Facebook (DHSEM video) | Twitter

 

Dr. Zink and Gov. Dunleavy on Alaska Public Media

 

Recent CDC Reports

This report by CDC's Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, Public Health Response to the Initiation and Spread of Pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24–April 21, 2020, discusses various factors that contributed to accelerated spread of COVID-19 during February–March 2020, including continued travel-associated importations, large gatherings, introductions into high-risk workplaces and densely populated areas, and cryptic transmission resulting from limited testing and asymptomatic and presymptomatic spread. Targeted and communitywide mitigation efforts were needed to slow transmission. These are factors that we will continue to need to watch.

Other recent reports include:

May 8, 2020

May 6, 2020 (Early Release)

May 1, 2020

 

New Outreach

  • Airport signInterstate and International Travel Quarantine: Unified Command, and Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in particular, are focusing again on reminding travelers about the required 14-day quarantine for those entering Alaska. This includes new signs at the airports, a PSA and social media posts. For sharing:Facebook | Facebook | Facebook (DOT&PF)

  • Fish Safely: No matter what kind of fishing you do – commercial, sport, subsistence or personal use – let’s fish safely this summer. The State of Alaska is requiring commercial fisherman to have protective plans in place prior to the fishing season to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Sport, personal use and subsistence fishing remain open, but anglers need to follow the state’s health mandates and please be considerate of others. Fishing is important to Alaskans – to fill our freezers, sustain our families and enjoy the outdoors – but let’s do it safely and respectfully! Fish as close to home as possible. If you do travel, make sure you know about any special rules in the communities you plan to travel through and abide by them. Stock up on supplies before you go. Minimize stops and interactions in other communities. Keep at least six feet from others who are not in your immediate household. Wear a cloth face covering when out in public or when it’s hard to keep at least six feet from others. Be well, be safe and for more information, including the health mandates, visit covid19.alaska.gov. For sharing: Facebook | Facebook

  • State Parks Guidance: The Alaska State Parks has issued new state campground guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you’re planning on visiting a state campground, please make sure you check the facility webpage to get the latest information on opening dates and details. Alaska State Parks will be limiting access, hours of operation, camping and numbers of people and group sizes, as appropriate, to maintain social distancing rules according to the State of Alaska mandates. Some facilities may not be able to open due to the inability to provide adequate spacing according to the mandates. Also, according to the guidelines, non-household members are prohibited from sharing any cabin, tent, RV, or other lodging in any Alaska State Parks facility. Social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained between non-household members in common areas of campgrounds. For sharing: Facebook

  • Social distancing: Artist Ray Troll has given permission for anyone in our group communicating to Alaskans about COVID-19 to use his Social Distancing, Alaska Style illustration for awareness purposes. Posts asking followers to share their favorite place to practice social distancing have been shared on Facebook and Twitter. #SocialDistancingAlaskaStyle For sharing: Facebook | Twitter

  • Keep Up the Good Work: Continue social distancing while Alaska reopens responsibly. For sharing: Facebook (DHSEM)

  • Face masks and face shields: Various efforts to encourage wearing of fabric face coverings and a video highlighting one family who is assisting with the response by producing face shields for health care providers.

    • Face mask selfies is a campaign to get followers to share their selfies while wearing their face masks. #MaskUp For sharing: Facebook | Twitter

    • Department of Corrections inmates have sewn nearly 40,000 facemasks. For sharing: Facebook

    • The Feldis family is producing face shields to help ensure adequate supplies of PPE for health care workers. This video highlights their work and the process they went through to develop the face shield with input from health care providers. For sharing: Facebook

  • Vulnerable adults: Reminder for high-risk populations that they should continue to reduce their risk of exposure as Alaska’s economy gradually reopens and highlighting community support for the Alaska Pioneer Homes. 

  • Wash Your Paws: Spring is here. Bears are waking up and AK is also cautiously reopening its economy. Remember to wash your hands, stay 6 feet apart and clean & disinfect surfaces: Facebook | Twitter

  • Federal resources: From the U.S. Census Bureau, Veterans Affairs and Medicare

    • New Census COVID data hub with population demographics, economic indicators and business patterns provided to guide decision-making: Facebook | Twitter

    • VA COVID Coach app: Facebook | Twitter

    • Medicare scams awareness: Facebook | Twitter

 

Medical and Science Questions - reprinted from Alaska Daily Clinical Update

SARS-CoV-2 and clothing: While there are no documented cases of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via clothing, virus and other pathogens may remain on clothing for a long period of time. While SARS-CoV-2 may live on surfaces for hours to days, it is thought to be transmitted much more often via droplet than via fomites (contaminated objects) and it is easier to destroy than other pathogens (clostridium difficile, e. Coli, hepatitis, TB) that may be encountered in a clinical setting. Scrubs, uniforms and other clothing worn while caring for patients should be washed in hot water (60 degrees C or higher) and dried in a hot dryer, separate from other clothing. Alternatively they may be washed in cooler water with bleach. Scrubs or other uniforms meant to be washed at home should be removed after each shift and placed in a plastic bag until washed; the plastic bag should then be disposed of. Appropriate PPE for the work scenario should always be worn over uniforms; uniforms are not a substitute for PPE. 

From HHS: CDC released recommendations for retirement communities and independent living facilities regarding reopening and ongoing infection control. HHS released more guidance for infection control in nursing homes, available here. CDC also has reopening information and resources for:

The information includes decision tools, community mitigation strategies, prevention and support, communication resources, and information for specific populations.

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