MSB Novel Coronavirus Update -Feb. 26, 2020

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) Department of Emergency Services Office of Emergency Management understands there are concerns about the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak and the risk it poses to both the state of Alaska and, in particular, the residents of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.   The virus, which originated in the Hubei region of China, has been labeled as “COVID-19” and has spread from China to multiple other countries as well as several of the Lower 48 states..

As of February 25, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alaska. We are closely monitoring this situation and coordinating efforts with local and State partners. You can follow the situation through the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (AKDHSS), who have the primary responsibility for managing these types of incidents and provide regular updates on their website and to agencies throughout the state.

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Alaska, AK DHSS would promptly inform the public through available media channels. For the general Alaskan public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is low.

Globally, efforts are focused on containing the spread of this virus and mitigating its impact on the areas where it has already spread.

Confirmed cases in the United States as of February 21, 2020: (No cases in Alaska)

• Travel-related: 12
• Person-to-person spread: 2
• Total confirmed cases: 14
• Total tested: 426

The most effective precautions that the public can take involve good hygiene practices, which will help protect the transmission of many types of respiratory infections, which include influenza along with COVID-19.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions ( https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/ ) are the most important response strategy currently for residents of the Mat-Su Borough to include individually doing at this time. Practice standard precautions for protection against viruses:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid any close contact with sick people.
• Clean surfaces with an EPA-registered low/intermediate level disinfectant, use gloves and wash your hands after cleaning.
• If you are sick, cover you coughs/sneezes and stay home if you have a fever, and consult a medical professional. Also, keep any sick children home from school according to the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District guidelines.
• Organizationally, you should increase frequency of cleaning frequently touched surfaces and stock and make available hand cleaning supplies and sanitizer

Take steps to stay healthy. Eat well, stay hydrated, keep current on all vaccinations, and get plenty of rest and physical activity.

The Centers for Disease Control recommend because it is currently flu and respiratory disease getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.

For specific Alaska information visit http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/Human-Coronavirus.aspx or the State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at https://ready.alaska.gov/sitrep . For up-to-date national information and the most current recommendations, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/COVID19 .

Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Department of Emergency Services

Office of Emergency Management

680 North Seward Meridian Parkway - Wasilla, AK 99654

Phone (907) 861-8004 - Fax (907) 861-8014

www.matsugov.us