CASE COUNT

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

TESTING IN CORDOVA

As of 4/8/2020 there have been eleven COVID-19 tests conducted in Cordova, with zero positive results. There is currently one test awaiting results. Local healthcare providers have the capability to test approximately 300 people in Cordova at this time. Additional testing supplies have been ordered. More tests have not been administered because individuals have not been sick enough to meet the CDC guidelines for testing.

Rapid Testing Machines

Earlier this week, ANTHC announced that Native Village of Eyak’s Ilanka Community Health Center was designated one Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 rapid testing machine. ICHC is awaiting delivery of that machine. Additionally, during Governor Dunleavy’s April 8th 5:30pm press briefing, Cordova was listed as a location designated to receive an Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 rapid testing machine through the DHSS. The City has not received any formal confirmation of this yet. Early and broad testing for COVID-19 has been shown to help isolate cases from becoming more widespread throughout a community. However, it is important to note that only a small number of rapid tests are being sent at first with test resupplies being controlled and distributed by state, federal and tribal governments. 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. We will update the public as soon as we learn of any changes regarding our ability to test.

CITY COUNCIL ACTION

City Council met for a special meeting today to receive an update from members of the City’s Incident Management Team and hear recommendations from the IMT’s Medical Advisor, Dr. Hannah Sanders. They also considered several measures to mitigate risks of COVID-19.

Ordinance 1185 was passed by Council, putting forth enforcement measures to support Cordova Health Mandate 1 and Emergency Order 2020-2 along with any future orders associated with this emergency. According to this ordinance, which goes into effect immediately, failure to comply with an emergency mandate adopted under the City of Cordova’s state of emergency is punishable by a fine of up to $500.00. Upon citation under this section, court appearance is mandatory.

Other Considerations: Council also discussed giving authority for the medical advisory team to require changes to the processor plans prior to those plans being put into place in Cordova. The council voted 7-0 to direct the City Manager to check with legal and determine if they can set that policy. Another council meeting set for later this week will likely yield more conversation on the topic. At this point, medical directors Hannah Sanders and Charles Blackadar along with other members of the IMT are reviewing and suggesting changes to processor plans as needed. Walk-throughs of some facilities have begun and others have been requested.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM TASK FORCES

As this incident develops and planning progresses, the Cordova COVID-19 Incident Management Team and City of Cordova are exploring avenues and forming teams to expand their efforts. Several Task Forces are being formed under the Operations section of the IMT to focus on securing ports of entry, sheltering, coordinating with first responders and public safety, and enhancing communication to all populations in Cordova. Informational posters and news releases are all being translated to both Tagalog and Spanish. Work to establish and set up shelters has begun. Plans are also being initiated to greet and communicate quarantine requirements and resources to arrivals at the Cordova airport.

TENTS NEEDED: The City of Cordova Incident Management Team’s Shelter Task Force formally requests donation or loan of camping tents from the community. The Shelter Task Force will be using tents for isolating individuals without the means of self-quarantine in the Quarantine Shelter/Alternative Care Facility. Tents can be dropped off in front of Cordova High School M-F 8-4pm along with an attached tag containing individual contact information if the tent is to be returned to the owner. Tents will be used ONLY as needed, so as to avoid contamination. Tents without a tag will be deemed disposable. We Thank You!

OTHER TASK FORCE WORK: The IMT’s Commercial Fishing Task Force has begun meeting and is working to ensure clear ideas about how to manage Cordova’s harbor and fleet as they arrive. Industry Group meetings composed of local processors, CDFU, CRPWSMA and ADF&G have been facilitated regularly with the IMT for several weeks as well regular meetings between the IMT and Essential Businesses. These meetings create open two-way communication between these entities and the IMT. They also offer access to medical oversight for these groups as they make plans to serve the community and fleet in the safest way possible, and ensure that mandates and guidance from City and State regarding COVID-19 are clearly communicated and understood. Meetings have also begun to facilitate cooperation between the City Incident Management Team and privately organized local groups.

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.
• 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.
• Daily Radio Updates: Starting last week, Mayor Clay Koplin and other members of the City of Cordova COVID-19 Incident Management Team began hosting a daily COVID-19 Radio Update. The program can be heard on KCDV-FM 100.9 and KLAM-AM 1450 at 1pm, 5pm and 8pm every Monday-Friday. The short program will include frequently asked questions and answers; as well as pertinent local, state and federal updates on COVID-19 status and planning. Archived radio updates will be available at youtube.com/cordovatv.
• Frequently Asked Questions: A special FAQ Session will be broadcast weekly with questions and answers gathered from those sent to our cordovaprepared@yahoo.com email account. It will be aired on KLAM/KCDV Radio and archived on youtube.com/cordovatv.
• Weekly News Briefings: The City of Cordova’s COVID-19 Incident Management Team will continue to host Press Briefings each Friday at 4:00pm, streamed live and available in the archive afterward at youtube.com/c/cityofcordovaalaska
• Infographics: The City of Cordova’s COVID-19 Public Information Team is 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

• NEW All public playgrounds in Cordova are closed, effective immediately.
• 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.