Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a declaration of public health disaster emergency on Wednesday, in response to the COVID-19 anticipated outbreak.
The declaration initiates a unified command structure between the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and fully engages state departments to utilize all capabilities to ensure a swift and effective COVID-19 response.
In a press release, Governor Dunleavy said: “My administration has worked daily to coordinate our response efforts and keep Alaskans informed about COVID-19. Beginning with the flight to repatriate Americans living in Wuhan in January, our team has responded with a level of professionalism that is a model for the nation. Alaska still does not have any confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease; however, by issuing this disaster declaration, we are taking a proactive approach to accessing all necessary resources. As we are faced with the potential to have confirmed cases in Alaska, the state will elevate its response and bring to bear every element of state government needed to address this serious illness.”
Adam Crum, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services: “DHSS, and the State of Alaska, continue to prepare for and learn from the novel coronavirus outbreak around the world. These efforts have been undertaken alongside municipalities, Tribal health, and our federal partners, and as this public health risk continues to evolve it is highly probable that an outbreak of COVID-19 will occur in this state in the near future.”
In addition to setting up the unified command, the declaration permits the DHSS commissioner to exercise state statues related to isolation and quarantine measures, and makes it easier for the state to purchase supplies, hire temporary staff, and access disaster relief funds for public assistance. The DHSS emergency operations center has been activated since January. The State of Alaska emergency operations center been on standby for several weeks.
All Alaskans are encouraged to stay informed, listen to their local elected leaders and their primary care providers.
