Interior Alaskan Friends and Family,

I hope you are sheltering in place. If you’re not, please start doing so immediately. COVID-19 is in our community, it is spreading, and it will continue to spread until we all do our part to stop it. Now is not the time to be casually out in public. Now is not the time for group activities – no dinner parties, play dates, or potlucks – these actions defeat the purpose of shelter in place.

Many people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all, and yet they can still spread the disease. This is dangerous. Even if you’re feeling completely healthy, you still need to shelter in place! If you must leave your house, be impeccable with the following actions.  Wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer. Hands away from your face. Stay at least six feet apart. Anything less allows the virus to spread.

For those who feel ill, the message is even stronger. Shelter in place! You must stay home. Your first symptom might only be a mild cough, a low-grade fever, or a little diarrhea. The symptoms of COVID-19 are highly variable yet we can unknowingly spread the virus. Eventually, it will infect those who may become critically ill or die. Some will be older and unwell, others will be young and healthy. The single best tool we have to help limit spread is to stay home. In addition, if you are ill, please follow these recommendations:

• Call if you have COVID-19 health related or testing questions: FHP Hotline 458-2888, State Hotline 211, or if you are a TCC beneficiary, 451-6682.
• Use over the counter medication to treat fever or discomfort, drink plenty of fluids and rest.
• Practice social distancing within the house (6 feet apart), wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, and keep hands away from your face. Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom if possible. 
• Frequently clean commonly used surfaces.
• Stay home until your symptoms have completely resolved and then for an additional 72 hours. This is CDC guidance and helps limit spread of this infection.
• If you believe you are sick enough to need an urgent care or the emergency room, please go.  It is helpful if you call ahead. Our hope is that if you do not feel sick enough to warrant that care, that you stay home.

We all play a vital role in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The next 2-4 weeks are a critical time for us. The more we limit the spread, the fewer people become critically ill, and the fewer people die.  Your community health care teams are doing their best to deliver a unified message. Get your information from the most reliable sources.

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf 
• http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx

Alaskans are tough and we’re known for our resolve. Fairbanks is the Golden Heart City, known for our commitment to community. Please Interior residents, do the following:

• If you are well, stay home. No group activities. No visiting other households. No hosting visitors. 
• If you are feeling sick, stay home and follow the recommended instructions.
• If you aren’t sure what to do or have additional questions, call one of the COVID-19 hotlines.

Sincerely,

A concerned local emergency room physician