State officials hoping to slow the spread of novel coronavirus-19 have levied new mandates for social distancing and intrastate travel, as the number of confirmed cases of the virus causing a global pandemic grew to 85 in Alaska.
One of the infected, a patient at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, who was being seen for an unrelated issue, tested positive for COVID-19 and died four days later.
That death marked the first COVID-19 related death in Alaska. Another Alaskan, from Petersburg died of COVID-19 a few days ago in Washington state.
As of Friday, March 27, which was also the 56th anniversary of the 1964 Good Friday earthquake, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services confirmed that there were 85 people in the state who had tested positive for the virus, most of them self-quarantined outside of hospitals. The list included Anchorage and Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson 39, Fairbanks 13 Ketchikan 12, North Pole 6, Juneau 4 Eagle River/Chugiak 3, Palmer 3, Sterling 2, and 1 each in Homer, Seward and Soldotna. Girdwood was the only area not previously reporting infections.
State and local government officials have already admonished all Alaskans to do their part by washing hands frequently, keeping hands off of the face, keeping a minimal six feet of space between themselves and others who are not immediate family and swiping down all frequently touched surfaces.
Also, in effect were statewide mandates for everyone entering Alaska, including residents coming home, to quarantine themselves for 14 days at home. Those battling respiratory infections, even with mild symptoms, are asked to isolate themselves from others and to call ahead if they need medical attention.
A growing number of rural communities were also imposing their own requirement for everyone entering their community to self-isolate for 14 days.
RavnAir confirmed that the carrier denied seats on a RavnAir flight headed for Bethel to two infants with suspected respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common respiratory infection among infants and toddlers in that region of Alaska.
A spokesperson for RavnAir said so far, their screening efforts have been successful “as we have prevented nearly 40 passengers who were either at risk or showing signs of illness from flying on our planes and putting others in harm’s way.”
Under their screening plan any passenger presenting symptoms associated with COVID-19 who does not have a doctor’s note is not allowed to fly on their planes.
RavnAir said that the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. was notified that if they were willing to conduct an assessment via telemedicine and provide possible RSV patients or their parents/guardians with a doctor’s note explaining that the physician believed the passenger had RSV and not COVID-19 then the patient would be allowed to fly on RavnAir, as long as the patient had a mask on and did not fly on a normally scheduled flight with other passengers.
One of the new mandates announced on March 27 dictated that only those engaged in essential health care services, public government services and essential business activities are exempt from remaining at their place of residence and practicing social distancing. Everyone is urged to work from home as much as possible and cease participation in public or private gatherings that include non-household members. This includes, but is not limited to weddings, faith gatherings, graduations and funerals.
The second mandate dictates that all instate travel between communities, whether resident, worker or visitor, is prohibited unless travel is to support critical infrastructure or for critical personal needs. Some small communities may also implement further travel restrictions, the mandate noted.
Alaska legislators and federal officials were also working to provide financial aid to a multitude of people who found themselves suddenly out of work.
The pandemic’s impact on the economy and life overall in Alaska has been dramatic, the saving grace being that Alaska has huge areas where people can recreate while maintaining a great deal of distance between themselves and others while walking, hiking, ice skating, skiing and engaging in other outdoor activities. All that space is helping those with children home while all schools are closed to get outdoor exercise in a safe manner.
A number of businesses and other entities, from nonprofit entities to religious congregations, were restricting entry to or have closed their facilities, leaving them facing their regular rent space and utility bills with little or no income.
Gyms are closed. Many restaurants, coffee shops and other retail establishments are offering take-out or curb service only. Many companies that were counting on another lucrative summer tourism season are now telling workers hired for the season to stay home. Other businesses, including hair salons, where there is close interaction with customers, have been ordered closed. Many people employed in service industry jobs are now without jobs at least on a temporary basis.
Alaska Airlines announced plans to reduce its flight schedule for April and May by 70 percent following historic and unprecedented falloff in demand because of the pandemic.
Airline officials said flight schedules for June and beyond will be based on demand, but they expect reductions will be substantial for at least the next several months.
