Health Considerations
What is coronavirus (COVID-19)
Various strains of coronavirus are common and are a frequent cause of upper respiratory infections. COVID-19 is a new strain of the coronavirus that was first detected in China in December 2019. It spreads from person-to-person and has the potential to cause severe illness, or in rare instances, death.
How does the coronavirus spread?
There are still many things that are unknown about the new virus strain. At this time, spread of the virus is believed to happen in the following ways:
- When an infected person coughs or sneezes near others
- Through close contact between individuals (hugging, kissing, shaking hands)
- Possibly by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Watch for symptoms
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Mask DIY
There is a severe shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available to front line health care providers on the North Slope and beyond. Together, we can make a difference in ensuring our communities have vital materials to support the contraction and spread of COVID-19.
Home crafters needed to help fight COVID-19
Resources
Up-to-date information and resources for COVID-19
Other Resources
Resolutions & Executive Orders
North Slope Borough
Anaktuvuk Pass
Nuiqsut
Utqiaġvik
Wainwright
Municipal Government Roundtable on COVID-19 — March 24, 2020
Regional Health Resources
Arctic Slope Native Association (ASNA)
ASNA COVID Hotline: 1-833-852-4622
- If an emergency visit is needed, call ahead
- If immediate care is needed, call 911
Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital (SSMH)
Main: 1-907-852-4611
Emergency Room: 1-907-852-9229
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC)
Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC): 1-907-729-1729
- If an ANMC emergency department visit is needed, call ahead
- If immediate care is needed, call 911
Travel Info
- Enhanced cleaning programs on all aircraft
- Decreased flight schedules
- Screening of all passengers
- Waiving change and cancellation fees for ticketed customers
- More info here
- Travel ban for nonessential personnel effective March 25, 2020
- Booking and ticket management no longer available online
- Decreased flight schedules
- Refunds and change fees waived until further notice
- More info here
- Enhanced cleaning programs on all aircraft
- Decreasing flights by 70% in April & May
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More info here
Internet Upgrades
With people staying home from work, school, and to limit their contact with others, internet providers serving North Slope residents have donated bandwidth capacity and offered credits and/or upgrades to customers.
ASTAC
- Waiving late fees and offering usage relief credit for those on metered usage plans
- Home Internet10 customers can submit request for April internet usage credit of up to 50 GB of free internet using this form
Customer Experience: 1-800-478-6409; info@astac.net
DSL Technician Support: 1-888-896-7815
GCI
- Customers can “level up” to the next plan free through May 31
- Upgrades will be through a credit applied to customers’ monthly bill in the amount equal to the difference between customers’ current plan and the next highest plan level
Call: 1-800-800-4800
ACS
For the next 60 days, Alaska Communications will:
- Not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of inability to pay due to COVID-19 disruptions
- Waive late fees for residential and small business customers incurred because of economic circumstances related to COVID-19
- Waive long distance overage fees as appropriate
- Work with communities and government agencies on remote learning and business continuity opportunities
Call: 1-800-808-8083
Quintillion
Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat thanks Quintillion Networks for increasing bandwidth capacity available to providers serving northern Alaska communities to support usage increases resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
State of Alaska Actions & Assistance
For updated State of Alaska information and assistance pertaining to COVID-19, please click here
HB 308 provides immediate changes to the application, qualification and payment process for unemployed workers laid off due to COVID-19:
- Waives the one week waiting period to apply
- Benefits to be paid through direct deposit, check or debit card
- Worker’s called back to work and then laid off again are still eligible
- Maximum weekly paid amount = $370/worker
- Workers receiving sick leave are not eligible
Federal Stimulus Resources
North Slope businesses may qualify for federal relief assistance through the federal government’s Small Business Administration.
Here’s another great tool about federal small business stimulus programs by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.