CASE COUNT

City of Cordova COVID-19 Confirmed Positive Case Count: 0

TESTING IN CORDOVA

As of 4/14/2020 there have been fourteen COVID-19 tests conducted in Cordova, with zero positive results and two tests awaiting results. Local healthcare providers have the capability to test approximately 300 people in Cordova at this time. The new Abbott rapid testing units are for use with patients that are symptomatic only and are not approved for asymptomatic use. Additional testing supplies have been requested. Your local healthcare provider will order testing. While testing is an important tool in stopping the spread of coronavirus, your Cordova Medical Response Team would like to reiterate that social distancing is still the number one method for containing the spread of COVID-19.

TESTING CRITERIA: The guidance from the state at this time is that if you have any symptoms, it is recommended that you call your medical provider who will evaluate and recommend next steps. The threshold for testing has been lowered, and new criteria can include:

• New onset of one of the following
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • difficulty breathing
• or new onset of two or more of the following:
  • chills
  • diminished sense of taste or smell
  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • fever
  • headache
  • muscle/joint aches
  • nausea
  • rigors
  • runny nose
  • sore throat
  • sputum production
  • dermatological changes

KEEPING CORDOVA INFORMED

• New User-Friendly Cordova COVID-19 Website: The City of Cordova has enlisted the help of a web designer to create a new webpage for Cordova COVID-19 information with the goal of providing more information that is easier for the public to find to access. We hope to launch the new site very soon!
• Translations: The Cordova IMT Public Information Team has begun efforts to translate all official posted signage and daily releases to both Spanish and Tagalog. The PIO team also plans to work with processors to ensure that translations of key information is available in all needed languages to keep their staff informed of COVID-19 mandates, guidelines and developments.
• Radio Updates & FAQ: Members of the City of Cordova COVID-19 Incident Management Team are hosting regular COVID-19 Radio updates on KCDV-FM 100.9 and KLAM-AM 1450. The programs include frequently asked questions and answers; as well as pertinent local, state and federal updates on COVID19 status and planning. Tune in on the radio or listen to archived radio updates are at youtube.com/cordovatv.
• Weekly News Briefings: The City of Cordova’s COVID-19 Incident Management Team will continue to host Press Briefings at 4 p.m. each Friday, streamed live and available in the archive afterward at youtube.com/c/cityofcordovaalaska.
• Infographics: The City of Cordova’s COVID-19 Public Information Team has developing a series of topical infographics, which are graphic visual representations of information, data, and knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly. These will be released to the public and targeted user groups as they are produced, and we invite the community to share them.

CITY FACILITY CLOSURES

• All public playgrounds in Cordova are closed, effective immediately.
• Odiak Camper Park
• Cordova School District
• Cordova Public Library
• Cordova Historical Museum & Gallery
• Bidarki Recreation Center
• Bob Korn Memorial Pool
• DMV – available by appointment only 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday until further notice. Only one person will be permitted in the DMV office at a time. Please call (907) 424-6125 to schedule your appointment.
• City Hall – available by appointment only 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday starting Thursday March 19, 2020 until further notice. Utility payments may be dropped off in the drop box located near the exit of the upper parking lot. You may also contact the Finance Department regarding other matters at finance2@cityofcordova.net and finance3@citofcordova.net. Please call (907) 424-6200 to schedule your appointment.
• Harbor – Beginning Friday, March 20, the Harbor office will be closed to walk-ins. Payments can be made by mail or by phone 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Appointments can be made to purchase shower tokens in bulk. Shipyard services are also by appointment. Starting March 20, 2020, the Harbor Department will not be accepting mail or packages. If you have mail or packages being delivered to the Harbor Office, please make other arrangements.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Please consult these resources for information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – coronavirus.gov
• State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) – coronavirus.alaska.gov
• Dial 211 – The State of Alaska information line for non-clinical questions
• City of Cordova – cityofcordova.net

The Incident Management Team, which collaborates with our medical professionals and emergency management teams around the state, feel that the curve has been flatter in Alaska and virus incidence has been fairly low because of the social distancing and other steps that the tribes, governments, businesses, organizations and individuals have put in place to protect themselves and their communities. We cannot emphasize enough how critical it is to continue these practices. Let’s do our part and practice the CDC guidance to keep Cordova free of COVID-19 for as long as possible. Please take every precaution to care for yourself and loved ones. Updates will be posted regularly on the Cordova Prepared page of the City of Cordova website and Facebook.com/groups/cordovaprepared. General local questions can be directed to cordovaprepared@yahoo.com.