By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Ongoing news coverage of the coronavirus has led Sitkans to ask about the community’s preparedness to deal with a possible local epidemic.
At Tuesday’s Assembly meeting, longtime Sitkan Harvey Brandt asked the Assembly whether it is planning a response to what the Centers for Disease Control calls “an emerging public health threat.”
“Periodically, over the years, there is an emergency, or sense of emergency,” Brandt said, speaking under Persons to be Heard. “I don’t know if you have a committee for that, but coronavirus is on the minds, and hearts and brains of millions of people ...”
Brandt noted South and North America haven’t been hit as hard as other places in the world, and that apparently there is no consensus among health officials and politicians in the U.S. on how concerned the public should be.
“It might be light, it might be easier than SARS, it might be nothing,” Brandt said. “My question is are you doing any planning ... I just wanted you to know my concerns about this.”
Assembly member Thor Christianson responded that his office, Southeast Region Emergency Medical Services, is receiving regular information from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and the fire department is having discussions about the coronavirus.
Fire Chief Dave Miller said today that the situation is changing day to day, and health officials are meeting regularly in response.
“What our plans are, what to expect, and what not to expect,” Miller said. “Things are changing all the time. We have to change with that ... I think the biggest thing to remember is unless you are really, really sick, the best place for you is at home.”
Another good rule, the chief said, is “not to panic.”
“Not everyone is going to come down with it and maybe we’ll be lucky enough to not see it in Sitka,” he said. Also, he said, even among those who have caught the virus, “not everyone gets really sick from it.”
There are no known cases in Alaska, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology said in today’s update.
The Section of Epidemiology says it is closely monitoring the “rapidly-emerging outbreak of COVID-19 first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Other cases have been found in a growing number of other international locations, and the U.S. We are working with CDC and other state and local public health partners to respond to this emerging public health threat.”
Brandt commented to the Assembly that he felt it’s important to get in front of the issue.
“I’ve seen shelves emptied in this town in a matter of a day or two because of panic,” he said. “I’m just saying you’ve got to think ahead.”
Miller said he’s working with health officials from SEARHC, and that the city does have a pandemic plan.
“We’re as ready as ready can be,” Miller said.
He said the only way to confirm the presence of the coronavirus is through a test, which at present is not widely available.
The incoming City Administrator John Leach said he has received a report from the fire hall about steps the department has taken.
“They’re ready as they can be,” Leach said, noting the work by EMS Captain, Rob Janik.
SEARHC is planning to distribute information on coronavirus starting Friday, officials said.
The DHSS has provided these tips to news and health organizations:
– If you’re experiencing cough, fever or shortness of breath, it’s most likely due to a common cold, or possibly the flu. However, if you are experiencing symptoms AND have had recent travel to China or possible exposure to the novel coronavirus, please call the Section of Epidemiology at (907) 269-8000 and check with your health care provider. Call ahead before visiting a provider to avoid infecting others.
Rumors and Misinformation
– How much do you know about the new virus from China called the novel coronavirus? Often when new diseases emerge, fear, misinformation and stigma can spread even more quickly than the virus. Follow credible sources of information like cdc.gov for national updates and coronavirus.alaska.gov for the most current Alaska information. When it comes to protecting the public’s health, we are all in this together!
Coronavirus: Is travel safe?
If you have travel planned or have recently returned from a trip, you may be concerned about the novel coronavirus. CDC.gov-forward slash-travel is a good place to go for traveler’s health information. Search by country name to read health notices and other important updates for travelers. Because this is a rapidly-evolving situation, check for updates regularly.
Concern in the United States goes back to January 9 when the World Health Organization reported that a new coronavirus had been preliminarily identified by Chinese authorities. Associatted with an outbreak of pneumonia that started in late December in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, it has since resulted in thousands of confirmed cases in China. Additional cases have been identified in other countries.
Cases have been confirmed in the U.S. in Washington State, California, Arizona, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, according to a map from NBC news.
The Alaska Section of Epidemiology said in a news release:
“While the risk to most Alaskans remains low, please know that Alaska’s health officials and our medical community are taking this risk seriously by working to detect possible cases and making preparations in case we do ever have a case. You can help by keeping informed, countering misinformation, and practicing good infection control – like washing your hands to help protect against respiratory illnesses.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
