COVID-19 Alaska Clinical Update – March 23

Wednesday, March 23

Graph taken from State of Alaska’s COVID-19 Cases Dashboard

Changes to Alaska community alert levels and COVID-19 data reporting

DHSS has reviewed how CDC’s new COVID-19 community levels may apply to Alaska. The community levels are useful because they consider hospitalizations and are not solely based on case data. However, we encourage the public and community leaders to continue to be aware of case rates in addition to the community levels. Community levels alone may not fully capture risk associated with localized high levels of transmission, especially in rural areas. Later next week, the Alert Levels on the dashboard will be retired and replaced by Case Rate Levels. In addition, beginning in April, DHSS will be updating data on the Alaska COVID-19 Information Hub once a week, on Wednesdays, rather than the current three times weekly.

More than 65% of US total population is fully vaccinated for COVID-19; 64.2% of Alaskans fully vaccinated

Based on the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard, more than 217 million people in the US have been fully vaccinated (received two doses of an mRNA vaccine or one dose of the J&J vaccine), which corresponds to 65.4% of the US population. 44.5% of the total US population has received a booster dose. Almost 89% of adults ≥ 65 years are fully vaccinated and 67% of this population have received a booster dose. In Alaska, 64.2% of the total population has completed their primary vaccination series and 27.1% have received a booster. For Alaskans ≥ 65 years, 81% completed their primary vaccination series and 74.2% of those who completed a primary series received a booster.

Alcohol-related deaths increased approximately 25% between 2019 and 2020

Using mortality data from the US National Center for Health Statistics, authors compared the numbers and rates of alcohol-related and all-cause deaths among all individuals 16 years or older in 2019 and 2020. The number of deaths involving alcohol increased between 2019 and 2020 (from 78 927 to 99 017 [relative change, 25.5%]), as did the age-adjusted rate (from 27.3 to 34.4 per 100 000 [relative change, 25.9%]). Comparatively, deaths from all causes had smaller relative increases in number (18.8%) and rate (from 938.3 to 1094.3 per 100,000 [16.6%]). Alcohol-related deaths accounted for 2.8% of all deaths in 2019 and 3.0% in 2020. Rates increased for all age groups, with the largest increases occurring for people aged 35 to 44 years (from 22.9 to 32.0 per 100 000 [39.7%]) and 25 to 34 years (from 11.8 to 16.1 per 100 000 [37.0%]). Rates increased prior to the pandemic, but less rapidly (2.2% mean annual percent change between 1999 and 2017). The rate increase for alcohol-related deaths in 2020 outpaced the increase in all-cause mortality, which was 16.6%. The authors conclude, “Deaths involving alcohol reflect hidden tolls of the pandemic. Increased drinking to cope with pandemic-related stressors, shifting alcohol policies, and disrupted treatment access are all possible contributing factors.”

Real-world efficacy of Johnson & Johnson vaccine in South Africa was 83% for preventing COVID-19-related deaths and 67% for preventing COVID-19-related hospitalizations

In a single-arm, open-label, phase 3B prospective cohort study in South Africa, health-care workers were vaccinated with a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and then matched for COVID-19 risk with an unvaccinated member of the general population to assess real-world vaccine efficacy. Between February and May 2021, 215,813 healthcare workers were enrolled and vaccinated and matched with unvaccinated individuals. During the course of the study, the beta (B.1.351) and then delta (B.1.617.2) SARS-CoV-2 variants were dominant. As measured in July 2021, vaccine effectiveness derived from the total matched cohort was 83% (95% CI 75–89) to prevent COVID-19-related deaths, 75% (69–82) to prevent COVID-19-related hospital admissions requiring critical or intensive care, and 67% (62–71) to prevent COVID-19-related hospitalizations. During these two waves, vaccine effectiveness remained consistent. Efficacy against COVID-19-related hospital admission during beta wave was 62% [95% CI 42–76] and during delta wave was 67% [62–71], and vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19-related death during beta wave was 86% [57–100] and during delta wave was 82% [74–89]. Vaccine effectiveness in health-care workers with HIV was similar to in those without HIV for COVID-19-related hospital admission and hospital admission requiring CCU or ICU admission. This study’s high prevalence of HIV (11% among matched vaccinated healthcare workers and 10.3% among the unvaccinated individuals) provides the first reassurance that this vaccine protects people with HIV, information that is much needed in a global context where fewer than 2500 people with HIV have participated in published efficacy trials.

Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech seek FDA authorization for second booster dose

Both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have submitted requests to the FDA to allow adults to receive a second booster vaccine of their respective COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Pfizer-BioNTech requested authorization for a second booster for adults 65 years and older while Moderna has requested authorization for adults 18 years and older.

4th doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines increased antibody levels but efficacy against preventing any infection ranged from 11-30%

In an open-label nonrandomized cohort study of Israeli healthcare workers, participants were eligible to receive a fourth dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna mRNA vaccine 4 months after their third Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose. Of the 1050 eligible health care workers, 154 received the fourth dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and, 1 week later, 120 received Moderna. For each participant, two age-matched controls were selected from the remaining eligible participants. After the fourth dose, both mRNA vaccines induced IgG antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain and increased neutralizing antibody titers; antibody levels in the control group continued to wane. The fourth dose did not lead to substantial adverse events despite triggering mild systemic and local symptoms in the majority of recipients. Overall, 25.0% of the participants in the control group were infected with the omicron variant, as compared with 18.3% of the participants in the Pfizer-BioNTech group and 20.7% of those in the Moderna group. Vaccine efficacy against any SARS-CoV-2 infection was 30% (95% confidence interval [CI], −9 to 55) for Pfizer-BioNTech and 11% (95% CI, −43 to 44) for Moderna. Most infected health care workers reported negligible symptoms, both in the control group and the intervention groups. However, most of the infected participants were potentially infectious, with relatively high viral loads. Vaccine efficacy was estimated to be higher for the prevention of symptomatic disease (43% for Pfizer-BioNTech and 31% for Moderna). The authors conclude that maximal immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines is achieved after three doses and that antibody levels can be restored by a fourth dose. This study showed low vaccine efficacy against infections in health care workers, as well as relatively high viral loads suggesting that those who were infected were infectious, thus a fourth vaccination of healthy young health care workers may have only marginal benefits. Older and vulnerable populations were not assessed in this study.

The monoclonal antibody Sotrovimab appears to significantly reduce hospitalizations lasting longer than 24 hours or death compared to placebo among high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19

In this randomized clinical trial of 1057 nonhospitalized participants with symptomatic mild to moderate COVID-19 and at least 1 risk factor for severe disease were randomized to a single infusion of sotrovimab versus placebo. Patients were enrolled from August 2020 through March 2021, which was prior to emergence of the currently predominant Omicron variant. All-cause hospitalization lasting longer than 24 hours or death was significantly reduced with sotrovimab (6/528 [1%]) vs placebo (30/529 [6%]) (adjusted relative risk [RR], 0.21 [95% CI, 0.09 to 0.50]. Four of the 5 secondary outcomes were statistically significant in favor of sotrovimab, including reduced ED visit, hospitalization, or death (13/528 [2%] for sotrovimab vs 39/529 [7%] for placebo; adjusted RR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.19 to 0.63] and progression to severe or critical respiratory COVID-19 (7/528 [1%] for sotrovimab vs 28/529 [5%] for placebo; adjusted RR, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.12 to 0.59]. No patients treated with sotrovimab required high-flow oxygen, oxygen via a nonrebreather mask, or mechanical ventilation. Among patients who received placebo, 10 required oxygen support (high-flow nasal cannula, nonrebreather mask, or noninvasive ventilation) and 4 required mechanical ventilation. By day 29, there were no deaths in the sotrovimab group and 2 deaths in the placebo group.

People who survive COVID-19 may have increased risk of diabetes following acute illness

In this retrospective cohort study, authors analyzed records from 181,280 patients from the US Department of Veterans Affairs who had a positive COVID-19 test between March 2020 – September 2021 and survived the first 30 days of COVID-19 compared to a contemporary and historic cohort of patients without COVID-19 infection to evaluate the groups’ subsequent incidence of diabetes. Participants in all three comparison groups were free of diabetes before cohort entry and were followed up for a median of 352 days. Compared with the contemporary control group, people with COVID-19 exhibited an increased risk (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.36–1.44) and excess burden (13.46, 95% CI 12.11–14.84, per 1000 people at 12 months) of incident diabetes. Risks and burdens of post-acute outcomes increased in a graded fashion according to the severity of the acute phase of COVID-19 (whether patients were non-hospitalized, hospitalized, or admitted to intensive care). Most incident diabetes outcomes were type 2 diabetes. Subgroup analyses suggested that COVID-19 was associated with an increased risk of diabetes outcomes across age (≤65 years and >65 years), race (White and Black), sex (male and female), BMI categories (>18·5 to ≤25 kg/m2, >25 to ≤30 kg/m2, and >30 kg/m2), and area deprivation index quartiles. COVID-19 was associated with an increased risk of diabetes outcomes in comparisons of COVID-19 versus the overall historical control group, and across all the subgroups examined, and were consistent with those evaluating the COVID-19 versus contemporary control groups. The authors conclude, “In the post-acute phase of the disease, COVID-19 was significantly associated with increased risk of incident diabetes. Although the risks and burdens increased according to the severity of the acute infection (as proxied by the care setting), they were evident and not trivial among people who were not hospitalised for COVID-19—this group represents most people with COVID-19. For example, the excess burden of diabetes among non-hospitalised individuals was 8.28 per 1000 people at 12 months. Given the large and growing number of people infected with COVID-19 (>450 million people globally as of March 15, 2022), these absolute numbers might translate into substantial overall population level burdens and could further strain already overwhelmed health systems… Our subgroup analyses suggest that even people with a low risk of diabetes before exposure to COVID-19 exhibited increased risk compared to both contemporary and historical controls. In addition, our analyses of who is at risk of diabetes among people with COVID-19 suggest that the relationship between COVID-19 and diabetes exhibited a graded association according to baseline risk of diabetes suggesting that diabetes could manifest in people at low risk (compared with controls), and COVID-19 could likely amplify baseline risks and further accelerate manifestation of disease among individuals already at high risk.”

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to baby is rare

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, authors reviewed 427 studies to evaluate the incidence and timing of mother-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Overall, 1.8% of the 14,271 babies born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection tested positive for the virust with RT-PCR. Of the 592 SARS-CoV-2 positive babies with data on the timing of exposure and type and timing of tests, 14 had confirmed mother-to-child transmission: seven in utero (448 assessed), two intrapartum (18 assessed), and five during the early postnatal period (70 assessed). Of the 800 SARS-CoV-2 positive babies with outcome data, 20 were stillbirths, 23 were neonatal deaths, and eight were early pregnancy losses; 749 babies were alive at the end of follow-up.

Alaska Influenza Snapshot – March 6–March 12, 2022

The State of Alaska DHSS Section of Epidemiology publishes a weekly snapshot of influenza surveillance and activity during the flu season. The report from Week 10: March 6, 2022 – March 12, 2022 was recently published.

MMWRs

Full mask policies in schools may be associated with lower COVID-19 incidence in areas with moderate to substantial community transmission

In this MMWR, authors attempted to identify any association between school mask policies and COVID-19 incidence. Weekly school-associated COVID-19 incidence in Arkansas school districts with full or partial mask requirements was compared with incidence in districts without mask requirements during August 23–October 16, 2021. Multivariable adjusted incidence rate ratios, which included adjustment for vaccination coverage, indicated that districts with full mask requirements had 23% lower COVID-19 incidence among students and staff members compared with school districts with no mask requirements. Observed-to-expected ratios for full and partial mask policies were lower than ratios for districts with no mask policy but were slightly higher for districts with partial policies than for those with full mask policies. Among districts that switched from no mask requirement to any mask requirement (full or partial), incidence among students and staff members decreased by 479.7 per 100,000 (p<0.01) upon implementation of the mask policy. On average, in the studied school districts, weekly COVID-19 incidences among students and staff members were higher than those in the surrounding communities; observed numbers of student and staff member cases were higher than expected based on community incidences for all mask policies. This highlights the potential for incidence within schools to be higher than that in communities in settings where community transmission levels are moderate to substantial and where the majority of students are unvaccinated.

Receipt of 2 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in persons aged 12-17 years protective against COVID-19-associated emergency department and urgent care encounters and hospitalization

In this MMWR, authors used data from the VISION Network to examine 39,217 emergency department (ED) and urgent care (UC) encounters and 1,699 hospitalizations among persons aged 5–17 years with COVID-19–like illness across 10 states during April 9, 2021–January 29, 2022, to estimate vaccine efficacy (VE). Estimates of Pfizer-BioNTech VE against COVID-19–associated ED and UC encounters varied by time since vaccination and by predominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant. Among adolescents aged 12–17 years during the full study period including pre-Delta, Delta, and Omicron predominant periods, 2-dose VE estimates were higher (76%–83%) 14–149 days after receipt of a second dose, and significantly lower (38%–46%) at ≥150 days postvaccination. However, a third vaccine dose restored VE against COVID-19–associated ED or UC encounters to 86% among adolescents aged 16–17 years. Among children aged 5–11 years during the full study period, VE of 2 doses (14–67 days earlier) against COVID-19–associated ED or UC encounters was 46%, which was significantly lower than overall estimates for adolescents aged 12–17 years. However, most encounters among children aged 5–11 years occurred during Omicron predominance, when VE significantly declined for adolescents aged 12–17 years. During Omicron predominance, VE of a second dose received 14–149 days earlier was 45% and 34% for adolescents aged 12–15 and 16–17 years, respectively, suggesting that the lower VE observed among children aged 5–11 years was likely driven by the predominant variant rather than differences in VE across age groups. During Omicron predominance, there was no evidence of protection for adolescents aged 12–17 years from 2 doses received ≥150 days earlier; however, a third vaccine restored VE to 81% among adolescents aged 16–17 years. Receipt of 2 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses in persons aged 12–17 years provided a high level of protection (>90%) against COVID-19–associated hospitalizations within 149 days of receipt of the second dose.

Adults who received 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were 94% less likely to receive invasive mechanical ventilation or die from COVID-19 compared with adults who were not vaccinated

Using a case-control design, mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE) against COVID-19–associated IMV and in-hospital death was evaluated among adults aged ≥18 years hospitalized at 21 U.S. medical centers during March 11, 2021–January 24, 2022. During this period, the most commonly circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, were B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Previous vaccination (2 or 3 versus 0 vaccine doses before illness onset) in prospectively enrolled COVID-19 case-patients who received IMV or died within 28 days of hospitalization was compared with that among hospitalized control patients without COVID-19. Among 1,440 COVID-19 case-patients who received IMV or died, 307 (21%) had received 2 or 3 vaccine doses before illness onset. Among 6,104 control-patients, 4,020 (66%) had received 2 or 3 vaccine doses. Among the 1,440 case-patients who received IMV or died, those who were vaccinated were older (median age = 69 years), more likely to be immunocompromised* (40%), and had more chronic medical conditions compared with unvaccinated case-patients (median age = 55 years; immunocompromised = 10%; p<0.001 for both). VE against IMV or in-hospital death was 90% (95% CI = 88%–91%) overall, including 88% (95% CI = 86%–90%) for 2 doses and 94% (95% CI = 91%–96%) for 3 doses, and 94% (95% CI = 88%–97%) for 3 doses during the Omicron-predominant period.

During the peak of Omicron, COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Black adults were nearly 4x as high as rates among White adults

In this MMWR, authors used data from COVID-NET to compare COVID-19–associated hospitalization rates among adults aged ≥18 years during B.1.617.2 (Delta; July 1–December 18, 2021) and Omicron (December 19, 2021–January 31, 2022) variant predominance, overall and by race/ethnicity and vaccination status. During the Omicron-predominant period, weekly COVID-19–associated hospitalization rates (hospitalizations per 100,000 adults) peaked at 38.4, compared with 15.5 during Delta predominance. Hospitalizations rates increased among all adults irrespective of vaccination status. Hospitalization rates during peak Omicron circulation (January 2022) among unvaccinated adults remained 12 times the rates among vaccinated adults who received booster or additional doses and four times the rates among adults who received a primary series, but no booster or additional dose. The rate among adults who received a primary series, but no booster or additional dose, was three times the rate among adults who received a booster or additional dose. During the Omicron-predominant period, peak hospitalization rates among non-Hispanic Black adults were nearly four times the rate of non-Hispanic White adults and was the highest rate observed among any racial and ethnic group during the pandemic. Compared with the Delta-predominant period, the proportion of unvaccinated hospitalized Black adults increased during the Omicron-predominant period. Relative to the Delta-predominant period, a significantly shorter median length of hospital stay was observed during the Omicron-predominant period and smaller proportions of hospitalizations with intensive care unit admission, receipt of invasive mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death. Other studies found similarly decreased proportions of severe outcomes among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during this period.

RECURRENT TOPICS

Providing COVID-19 vaccinations

All Alaskans and people who work or live in Alaska who are aged 5 years and older are eligible for vaccination against COVID-19.

If you are interested in providing the COVID-19 vaccine in your office or clinic, please visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Enrollment page. If you have additional questions, please email Matthew Bobo at matthew.bobo@alaska.gov

Free self-paced online course available to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence in Alaskan Communities

Two online courses are available for free through the UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce in partnership with the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health. These courses are designed to provide participants the knowledge and skills to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence among clients, family, friends, patients and/or community members in Alaskan communities. For those who complete the online course, there is an option to attend the live practical session to apply what they learned.  These will occur monthly until the end of June and the live sessions are also free. 
The Provider course is designed for licensed, or license eligible healthcare providers (1 contact hour, Interprofessional Continuing Education credit [ANMC]).
The Community course is aimed at entry level healthcare professionals and the interested public (approximately 3 hours)

Oral COVID-19 Antivirals

The FDA has authorized two oral antivirals – Paxlovid and Molnupiravir - for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults 18 years and older who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19. Paxlovid is also authorized for children age 12-17 years.

The Alaska DHSS website on COVID-19 therapeutics has been updated for providers and has everything you need to evaluate which therapeutic is right for your patient and the tools to prescribe these medications.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Currently, only GlaxoSmithKline’s sotrovimab and Eli Lilly’s bebtelovimab monoclonal antibodies show high activity against the Omicron variant. Both are approved to treat mild-moderate COVID-19 in individuals who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.

If you are interested in providing monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19 in your office or clinic, please refer to this guide from the U.S. DHSS, and then send an email to Coleman Cutchins (coleman.cutchins@alaska.gov) and CJ Kim (cj.kim@alaska.gov) for local assistance.

For the latest recommendations, check out the NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines

Pregnancy

The CDC strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination either before or during pregnancy because the benefits of vaccination outweigh known or potential risks.

For the latest recommendations, check out the CDC webpage on COVID in Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People and recommendations from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition, JAMA has published a one-page patient information sheet on COVID-19 and pregnancy.

Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)

For the latest recommendations, check out the CDC webpage on Post-COVID-19 Syndrome and Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Post-COVID conditions

COVID-19 Speakers’ Bureau

Anyone can request a free presentation for a group interested in learning more about the COVID-19 in Alaska.

Aside from COVID-19

Mat-Su Valley Narcotics Alert

The Alaska State Troopers, Palmer Police Department, and Wasilla Police Department have responded to several suspected overdoses this week in the Mat-Su area. Law enforcement believe that a lethal batch of heroin is currently circulating in the Mat-Su, causing the rise in overdose events. At this time, at least six people are believed to have died as a result of this suspected batch of heroin, and at least 17 other overdose emergencies have been reported to law enforcement. While the use of illegal drugs such as heroin is always discouraged, law enforcement encourages anyone that uses illegal drugs in the Mat-Su area to take extra caution at this time due to high levels of potency in current circulation. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Service’s Project Hope provides Narcan free of charge, which can help reverse an overdose; you can locate a distribution site and learn more at: https://dhss.alaska.gov/osmap/Pages/hope.aspx. Law enforcement officers in South Central Alaska are aggressively investigating the source of these illicit narcotics. If you or anyone that you know has any information about drug trafficking in the Mat-Su area, please call Alaska State Troopers at (907) 352-5401, or to remain anonymous, submit a tip on the AKtips smartphone app or using the Submit Anonymous Tip button.

Public Naloxone Training

DHSS OSMAP Project HOPE are conducting public naloxone trainings as a community outreach and to increase awareness and access. Email projecthope@alaska.gov.

Harm reduction strategies and resources

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) HIV/STD Prevention and Substance Misuse Prevention programs host free virtual gatherings to discuss harm reduction strategies and resources in Alaska. Guest speakers are Alaska-based experts in the field of harm reduction. Recordings of harm reduction trainings can be found here.
Several useful materials specific to Alaska opioid safety are at the following webpage. Check it out and print out information to hang up in your community.

CPT1A Arctic Variant Refresher

The CPT1A Arctic Variant is a genetic mutation that is commonly in many Alaska Native people. Among the Yu’pik and Inupiaq Alaska Native people it is the most common form of CPT1A. During an illness where children have reduced fluid and caloric intake, children with CPT1A Arctic Variant are at increased risk of hypoglycemia, seizures, and death. ANTHC has published a brief video explaining this condition for physicians, other health care providers, and anyone else interested. In addition, Dr. Matthew Hirschfeld, Medical Director of Maternal Child Health Services at Alaska Native Medical Center, has published slides from a recent presentation on CPT1A Arctic Variant and COVID-19 in Kids.

Caring for women Veterans in the community

Women Veterans are the fastest growing Veteran population in the VA healthcare system. They have unique health care needs that may require different assessments, care and resources compared to non-Veterans. For example, issues such as military sexual trauma, musculoskeletal pain, and post-deployment readjustment can impact women Veterans differently.  To get the highest-quality care, women Veterans must have access to clinicians who are trained in women Veteran’s health. Community providers might not be aware of the special areas of concern that need to be addressed. To this end, the VA’s Office of Women’s Health has created a one-hour web-based training module “Caring for Women Veterans” which trains community care clinicians to provide Veteran and gender-specific care. Community Care Providers can take this training (CME available) and learn ways to talk about patients’ military history and address physical, mental, and reproductive health challenges unique to women Veterans.

Upcoming Events/Conferences/Presentations

Drug Addiction Treatment Act (DATA) Waivers ECHO

UAA Center for Human Development and the State of Alaska Division of Behavioral Health are pleased to offer a new Project ECHO for medical providers who are currently DATA waivered and/or medical providers who are interested in obtaining a DATA waiver. 

April 13 at 12:00pm       All things UDS/oral fluid tests for monitoring
May 11 at 12:00pm        Behavioral Health - Psychosocial adjuncts to MAT
June 8 at 12:00pm         Polysubstance use
July 13 at 12:00pm        Tapering or stopping buprenorphine treatment
August 10 at 12:00pm    Prenatal/OB MAT
Sept 14 at 12:00pm       Understanding and reducing buprenorphine diversion

Registration link for DATA Waivers ECHO:
https://echo.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqce-gqDovGdDitNu5EPxMU1UOPrBth7Wv

Hosted and facilitated by UAA’S Center for Human Development Alaska ECHO Project in partnership with the State of Alaska Division of Behavioral Health. For questions, please contact echo@alaskachd.org

ANTHC Tribal Health Webinar Series

The ANTHC Tribal Health Webinar series occurs on Friday from 12-1pm on Zoom and is open to the public. Here is the upcoming schedule and the Zoom link. 
March 25: Ruby Fried, PhD. UAA Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies. COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy in Remote Alaska: A longitudinal perspective
April 1: Emily Urlacher. State of Alaska DHSS. Universal Developmental Screening Advisory Committee (UDSAC) Statewide Developmental Screening Environmental Scan.
April 8: Connie Jessen, MA. Alaska Indigenous Research Program Director. Alaska Stigma Index Project.
April 15: Eric Lim, MD. ANMC Orthopedics. Topic TBD
April 22: Leslie Kerzner, MD. Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome for the Primary Care Provider.
April 29: Andrew Cornelius, MD. ANMC Orthopedics. Topic TBD.
May 6: Jessie Downes, MSN, DNP, RN. Alaska DHSS. Alaska Hypertension Program

Webinar Link: https://anthc.zoom.us/j/98667611681
Meeting ID: 986 6761 1681
One-tap mobile: +16699006833,,98667611681#

CDC Clinical Support:There is a Clinician On-Call Center, a 24-hour hotline with trained CDC clinicians standing by to answer COVID-19 questions. Call 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) and ask for the Clinician On-Call Center.

The most up-to-date, evidence based COVID-19 treatment guidelines can be found at:

NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines
IDSA Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patient with COVID-19

Alaska Responders Relief Line (844) 985-8275

Your well-being matters. Your behavioral health colleagues are standing by to talk 24/7: 844-985-8275
Recognizing the unique stressors that providers face, the Division of Behavioral Health has established a 24/7 support line, (844) 985-8275, for healthcare and behavioral professionals impacted by COVID personally and professionally. Staff supporting the call line recognize callers are often first responders and will allow callers to openly express their experiences and feelings serving Alaskans impacted by COVID.

This service is also available to immediate family members of first responders who may be experiencing stress, anxiety and other hard to label emotions as a result of their loved one engaging on the front lines.