Valdez COVID-19 Unified Command

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Valdez Case Count 09232020

NOTE: Our local COVID-19 case count data is only updated upon notification of new cases, recoveries, hospitalizations, or deaths. Our local case count data is reported real-time following confirmation from DHSS Division of Public Health. There is often a data entry delay between our local real-time case count updates and what is then reported on the statewide DHSS Alaska Coronavirus Response Hub data dashboard.

To view statewide case counts and other data, visit the DHSS Alaska Coronavirus Response Hub: https://coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com/

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Valdez Unified Command News Release # 022

For immediate release: 09/23/2020, 8:00 p.m. 

Valdez, AK – The community of Valdez received confirmation of its twelfth resident case of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

The new resident case is an asymptomatic adult identified during routine employer directed screening. The patient is in isolation and following the guidance of their medical provider and public health officials. All close contacts of the patient have been notified and are in quarantine. The source investigation remains ongoing. Public health officials believe the risk to the Valdez community from this new case is low.

Valdez must continue making thoughtful and careful decisions as long as COVID-19 remains present in Alaska and beyond. Taking individual actions like hand hygiene, physical distancing, wearing a cloth face covering around others, keeping your social circle small, avoiding high risk activities, being extra cautious during travel, and staying home when you are sick all make a big impact towards keeping our community safe. 

If you believe you have even mild COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider for screening and closely follow their instructions. Remember to call ahead before you go to the doctor’s office, public health clinic, or hospital. The local medical team will continue to provide the best possible care for you and our community. 

Both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 testing are currently available in Valdez. Visit the Valdez Unified Command website (www.valdezak.gov/COVID-19) for additional information and to learn more about different local testing options. If you feel you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please contact the local public health nurse or your medical provider for guidance. Timeline for testing will vary depending upon your possible exposure date. 

The Valdez Unified Command and public health officials continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation. We ask the community to practice compassion and remember that behind every case count number is a person dealing with a difficult diagnosis. We remain committed to providing information, support, and resources to protect the health of Valdez.

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Click here to download a pdf copy of UC News Release 022

Contact: Allie Ferko, public information officer, Valdez Unified Command PIO@valdezak.gov, (907) 202-0711

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Contact Tracing Series (1)
Contact Tracing Series (2)
Caring for Others_Manage Symptoms from Home 1
Caring for Others_Manage Symptoms from Home 2
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COVID-19 Testing Options in Valdez

Several different options now exist in Valdez for both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. All options are by appointment only.

Symptomatic? Need a return to school test following illness?

  • The Valdez Medical Clinic offers symptomatic rapid testing by appointment only. Please call 831-6441 during the times listed on the flier below to discuss your situation and schedule a testing appointment.
  • The Alfa Doc offers symptomatic rapid testing by appointment only. Please call 835-ALFA (2532) to discuss your situation and schedule a testing appointment.

Asymptomatic?

  • Providence Valdez Medical Center offers free drive thru asymptomatic testing on Mondays and Thursdays for workers who interact with the public, those with a state travel voucher, and other select populations. Call 255-6063 to discuss your situation and schedule a testing appointment. (This is NOT a rapid testing option.)
  • Providence Valdez Medical Center offers pre-procedure testing. After receiving a testing order from your healthcare provider, call 835-2249 to schedule your testing appointment at the hospital.
  • The Alfa Doc offers asymptomatic rapid testing by appointment only. Please call 835-ALFA (2532) to discuss your situation and schedule a testing appointment. 

Close Contact or Otherwise Exposed to COVID-19?

  • If you have either been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 or feel you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please contact the Valdez public health clinic (835-2419) or your healthcare provider for instructions.
PVMC COVID-19 Testing Options (Updated 09.22.2020)
AlfaDoc Testing UPDATED 09242020
VMC Rapid Testing Flyer UPDATED 09242020
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Valdez Local Public Health Mandate 003 
(Amendment No. 1)

Click here to download a pdf copy of Valdez Public Health Mandate 003 (Amendment No. 1)

FINAL Amendment No. 1_Valdez COVID-19 Public Health Mandate 003_Page_1
FINAL Amendment No. 1_Valdez COVID-19 Public Health Mandate 003_Page_2
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Mandate 003 Community Resources

General Information & Guidance on Wearing Cloth Face Coverings

CDC: https://bit.ly/2ArbDfO
DHSS: https://bit.ly/3gmIRMF

Resources for Residents and Visitors

Need a face covering? Please consider shopping local and ordering from a small business.

Valdez residents in need of a cloth face covering can also visit https://bit.ly/2Zu23kD to order one free from local volunteers.

Resources for Businesses, Non-Profits, and Facility Owners

Please read through the mandate so you are aware of the requirements for your business or facility.

To assist and make things easier on you, we are offering several resources, including the following standardized door sign and educational posters for your use if desired.

If you are unable to print the door sign or posters yourself (and want to use them) or need a starter pack of disposable masks for your workforce or clients/customers/guests, please send an email to resources@valdezak.gov with your contact information and how many you need of each item. Someone from the Unified Command Logistics Section will respond to your email to coordinate assisting with your needs.

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Cloth Face Coverings - Choose to Wear It For Them

Choose to support our community – Make a difference towards keeping Valdez healthy, our small businesses open, and our children headed back to school this fall.

Choose to do a few small things to help – Wearing a cloth face covering in public is one important tool in our public health toolbox. Combine it with physical distancing, hand hygiene, and staying home if you are sick in order to slow the spread of the virus.

Choose to wear it for them – We do not know everyone else’s story. You may survive COVID-19. They and their loved ones may not. Cloth face coverings help us protect others from the virus.

Choose to remain kind – Recognize some cannot wear cloth face coverings due to medical or other private personal reasons. In that case, they must pay careful attention to the alternate ways they can protect others.

Choose to be a good neighbor. Stay safe and healthy, Valdez.

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COVID-19 Protective Mandate Escalation_De-Escalation Plan
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Unified Command News Releases & Weekly Situation Reports

Valdez Unified Command News Releases

Valdez Unified Command Weekly Situation Reports
Information current as of noon on the date of posting.

  1.  Information Resources
  2. Media

Information Resources Related to COVID-19

Please stay informed with information from credible sources, such as:

Local Resources:

State Resources:

Federal Resources:

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Valdez Local Disaster Declaration

Local Government Disaster Declaration (Extended) - City of Valdez, Alaska
(Extended on 09.01.2020)

Local Government Disaster Declaration (Extended) - City of Valdez, Alaska
(Extended on 08.04.2020)

Local Government Disaster Declaration (Extended) - City of Valdez, Alaska
(Extended on 07.07.2020)

Local Government Disaster Declaration (Extended) - City of Valdez, Alaska
(Extended on 06.02.2020)

Local Government Disaster Declaration (Extended) - City of Valdez, Alaska
(Extended on 05.19.2020)

Local Government Disaster Declaration (Extended) - City of Valdez, Alaska
(Extended on 04.21.2020)

Local Government Disaster Declaration (Original) - City of Valdez, Alaska
(Originally Declared 03.17.2020)   

Valdez Local Health Mandates

Local Health Mandate 001 - Requiring Quarantine for Certain Travelers
(Approved 03.23.2020, Amended 04.21.2020, Rescinded 04.29.2020, Replaced with Valdez Health & Safety Proclamation.)
With so many exceptions to this mandate’s intrastate travel quarantine requirements, either in place or contemplated due to new state health mandates, rescinding it and replacing it with the Proclamation provides a more useful and easy to navigate way to focus on health and safety behaviors for everyone who lives, works, or plays in Valdez. 

Local Health Mandate 002 - Preserving Personal Protective Equipment
(Approved 03.25.2020, Expired 04.22.2020)

Local Health Mandate 003 (Amendment No. 1) - Requiring Mask or Face Coverings
(Originally failed due to lack of a motion on 04.21.2020; Approved 07.07.2020; Amended (No. 1) 09.15.2020)

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Social (Physical) Distancing An Insightful Infographic
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State of Alaska Contacts

General Information: covidquestions@alaska.gov 
Alaska 211: Dial 2-1-1 or call 1.800.478.2221
State Website: covid19.alaska.gov 

Local Contact

Allie Ferko, Public Information Officer
Valdez COVID-19 Unified Command

For questions or for general information, email: PIO@valdezak.gov or send a private message to www.facebook.com/ValdezUCRG. 

Valdez COVID-19 Recorded Hotline.
Recorded message with local information and updates.
907.835.0300

Please forward all health, symptoms or screening related questions to your physician.

For resource submissions and inquiries,
email: resources@valdezak.gov

Local agency partners or business owner/operators with questions related to your operations should email: liaison@valdezak.gov