Statewide COVID-19 Communications: September 4 update for partners
Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 09/04/2020 08:20 PM AKDT
September 4, 2020 Update for partners
Dear Community Partners:
Thank you for all your continued hard work, coordination and patience under difficult circumstances. We can't thank everyone enough for the ongoing efforts to keep Alaskans healthy, safe and informed about COVID-19. If you have questions or would like something included in the next update, email items to elizabeth.manning@alaska.gov, kathleen.griffith@alaska.gov or sue.libenson@alaska.gov with the subject: COVID-19 Week in Review.
Labor Day messaging
Social distance, Alaska style, this Labor Day weekend. Holiday weekends are … different in 2020. But Alaskans are resilient and strong, we’ve got this!
Keep COVID-19 at bay by staying away from the crowds this year. Labor up a mountain, go hunting or berry picking, hang out in your backyard with just a few close friends or kick up your feet by a lake. Thankfully, Alaska has plenty of open space. Just please keep your gatherings small and always keep six feet apart from non-household members. To encourage others to do the same, please share and enjoy this Labor Day video.
Our actions this weekend are critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Whether you decide to head out into the woods or grill in the backyard, remember to celebrate safely by washing your hands, masking up when around others, and staying at least six feet apart from people outside your household, especially if you travel to another community. Staying home is the safest way to celebrate. Social distancing outside is safer than hanging out with friends indoors.
We are all in this together.
Also, check out this press release and graphic from the City and Borough of Juneau.
Happy Labor Day, Alaska! A special thanks to our frontline workers for keeping us safe and strong in the fight against COVID-19.
Help for Parents and Caregivers Navigating COVID-19 Back to School Challenges
A new series is offered for parents and caregivers managing their children’s education during COVID-19. Strategies for managing online, homeschool, and hybrid school models will be discussed. Following a short presentation, there will be time for participants to ask questions and share ideas. The first sessions are scheduled for this Saturday, September 5 and next Saturday, September 10 at 10 am. The sessions will be recorded and available to all who register. Please register, even if you are not sure you'd be able to attend.
You can register here and also provide questions or advice in advance.
COVID-19 Public Information Materials Available for Order from DHSS Warehouse
DHSS has lots of COVID publication information materials available online and to distribute. At the bottom of the webpage, you will find a section on "ordering COVID-19 communication materials." There are yard signs, stickers, and more. Let’s get them out of the warehouse and out where people can see them. To make your request, please attach the COVID-19 communications material order form (page 2) with your requested quantities to your 213RR (resource request form). Please work with your local emergency operations center; your local EOC can help you fill out the 213RR form if you need assistance. If you're still having difficulty ordering materials, please email at DHSS-PIT@alaska.gov.
Isolation versus Quarantine – What’s the Difference?
Many people have questions about rules for isolation versus rules for quarantining. This short video from Dr. Anne Zink does a nice job of walking through the rules. And, this handout walks through what to do after getting tested for COVID whether you test positive or negative.
Getting people to understand and follow these rules is essential to stopping the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Relief to Reimburse Families for Free School Meals – Apply by September 30
Funds are available to help reimburse families for unexpected expenses from when they lost access to school meals during pandemic-related school closures. Families have until September 30 to apply for the funds designated as the Pandemic – Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program.
Documentation is currently being accepted by the Division of Public Assistance (DPA) to allow for families to submit their information. We understand mail delivery in our communities can cause delays in applying and DPA wants as many families as possible, who are eligible for P-EBT, to have the opportunity to participate. Please submit your information as quickly as possible to DPA to ensure benefits are issued by the end of September. DPA will not be able to issue P-EBT benefits after Sept. 30, 2020, due to federal regulatory limitations. Families can apply here.
COVID-19 Alaska Weekly Case Update: Aug. 23 - 29, 2020
This data summary covers COVID-19 in Alaska from Sunday, August 23 through Saturday, August 29, 2020. The full report is available here.
Highlights
- We continue to see new cases of COVID-19 in Alaska.
- The majority of new infections among Alaskans are from community spread, not from travel, meaning that most Alaskans get the virus from someone they work, socialize, or go to school with.
- Many Alaskans who are diagnosed with COVID-19 report that they went to social gatherings, community events, church services and other social venues while they were contagious but before they knew they had the virus.
- Cases disproportionately affect Alaska Native People and that proportion is rising; Alaskans who identify as Black or Pacific Islander are also disproportionately impacted although the numbers of people affected in these populations are smaller, making it more difficult to judge whether these differences will be statistically significant
- Many cases are still under investigation and race is not yet known.
- Hospital occupancy statewide remained between around 50% and 60% this week, however this number includes beds in smaller hospitals that do not usually accept patients transferred from larger communities.
- Alaskans should avoid gatherings, wear masks when around any non-household member, keep six feet of distance from anyone not in their household and wash hands frequently to slow community transmission of COVID-19.
Bookmark handy online DHSS resources
Check these pages and social media accounts for recent updates, as well as messages and graphics you can share with your communities:
Thank you and have a great week!
- DHSS Public Information Team
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