Governor Mike Dunleavy and Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink, delivered a presentation modeling her department’s latest tools Alaskans can use to stay informed about in Alaska. She also explained the state’s new method of tracking COVID-19 cases.
Dr. Zink provided an update on the positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, which also included an explanation of new calculation measures: “As of today, our calendar has changed, so we’re reporting 8 new cases today. These are from, essentially, Midnight on the 1st until 11:59 p.m. It’s a little confusing today; five of these cases were reported in yesterday’s numbers, three cases came in between 3 p.m. and Midnight, and so that makes our total case count 147 as of right now, as of Midnight. Today’s numbers are a little odd, I apologize for the confusion and the way these come across. Two are male, one is female. Two between the ages of 30 – 59. One of over 60. They’re all from the Fairbanks region.”
During a slide-based presentation, Dr. Zink delved into many of the reasons why COVID-19 is as communicable as it is, and also discussed symptoms: “There are some thins that are starting to appear as symptoms that are different than other diseases including the inability to smell or taste early on, it appears to be something people may be noticing that may be another symptom. In elderly people particularly, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, things like that can also be other symptoms. Also, some people can have an oxygen level drop quite low without actually feeling short of breath – just feeling really achy and not well. Those are just other symptoms that we are constantly looking out for, and that’s why we’re continuing to encourage testing.”
She also elaborated on why testing is done in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and that those labs are open seven days a week. They are large facilities that meet a number of standards, making them capable of handling the security and the workload involved with COVID-19 swabs. They are actively working on remote testing options, to expand the capability for tests to take place, including the state having already made drive-through testing available in Bethel through the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation in the parking lot next to the old hospital. Tribal testing capabilities are growing.
Continuing the testing talk, she recognized that Alaska ranks well among states in the nation, among the top ten in the nation with regards to testing-per-capita.
She showcased the data that her department is collecting from which her recommendations originate. From social mitigation to what would happen if no action was taken, the consistent message is that COVID-19 could spread much more severely, very quickly, if not for some very basic social steps for residents to take.
One model showed a prediction of hospital beds needed versus the amount that are available, showing that the shelter-in-place plan should allow the state to meet hospital bed needs.
Dr. Zink wrapped by discussing what Alaskans can do to help keep each other safe. She encouraged using cloth masks to prevent the spread of the disease early during the process. Also included was the continuation of aggressive social distancing and encouraging taking care of your fellow Alaskan. But particularly, she spent time focusing on proper habits at stores, a central hub where spread can be rapid: “What can you do to make a big difference: stores. Be careful with stores. Limit your shopping trips. Go during off-hours. Use pick-up or delivery services, wipe-down your handles, wash your hands after shopping, check on the elderly and see if you can shop for them, support local restaurants by using take-out or other ways to minimize going in-and-out to buy food. “
Governor Dunleavy offered a thank you to Alaskans for following all suggestions and Health Mandates to keep Alaska’s COVID-19 numbers relatively low: “Boy, I’ve gotta tell ya: if we were able to manage this better than most, it’s because of what you’re doing.”