Stay Safe COVID-19
APIA is open and providing the same excellent level of care for Health and Behavioral Health Services. Be ready for small changes like wearing a mask, screening questions, and a temperature check when you get services. These small changes will help keep us all safe.
Now with expanded tele-distance delivery.
APIA Preparedness
APIA was the first rural Tribal Health Clinic to receive, train, and implement the Abbot ID NOW rapid COVID19 testing instrument. We have implemented rapid testing in Atka, Nikolski, Unalaska, and St. George. Starting April 9th, two of our locations had operating testing sites. As of May 8, all of our primary care sites were equipped and operational with the Abbot ID NOW Rapid Test Machines. We always have two or more local employees trained at all sites. We have established a clinic supply and order process to maintain adequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) throughout our region, along with necessary medical supplies. Recently, we signed an agreement with an Independent Medical Staffing agency to deploy providers when needed. Since April 1, our clinics have been transformed into COVID preparedness and response. Our health care providers are prepared; we remain up-to-date on the newest evidence-based practices for the care and treatment of COVID-19 patients. While we are very confident in our readiness to face COVID-19, our focus continues to be centered on prevention. We are committed to help and support bringing an end to this pandemic!
COVID-19 Vaccine
APIA and COVID-19 Distribution:
The Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association began administering first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in all of our clinic communities: Atka, Nikolski, Unalaska on December 22 (St. George, January 22). The first doses of the vaccine were provided to health care and front-line EMS workers and those 65 years and older. The remaining vaccines are open to those 18 years and older. Call your local clinic to get your vaccine scheduled or to get on the list for when it arrives in your community:
Atka Clinic: (907) 839-2232
Nikolski Clinic: (907) 576-2204
St. George Clinic: (907) 859-2254
Unalaska Clinic (907) 581-2742
Eastern Aleutian Tribes is also successfully rolling out the vaccines in their communities. EAT Community members can call their local clinic to learn about when you can expect to get vaccinated, if you haven’t already. Contact information for EAT: (866)-328-4911 or (907) 277-1440 or https://www.eatribes.org/contact-us/
Information about the COVID-19 vaccine:
Many people have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. A common misconception is that the vaccine can make you sick. This is not true. None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19 so a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. Please see commonly asked questions and answers on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine spaced apart are required for full protection, as studied in clinical trials. It takes about two weeks after the second dose for your immune system to build up to full protection. Because the vaccines were not studied in children, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is currently recommended for persons 16 years of age and older in the U.S. population under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization while the Moderna vaccine is recommended for people aged 18 years and older. For more information on both of these vaccines, visit https://www.uihi.org/projects/covid-vaccines/
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Zink, states: “Until we can protect more people through vaccination, we can all – including those who have been vaccinated – help keep the virus under control,” she said. “Keep wearing masks, maintain physical distance from others, keep your social circles small, get tested if you feel sick or may have been exposed, and when it’s your turn to do so, please consider getting vaccinated.” For more information, visit http://covidvax.alaska.gov
Graphics to Share
Please download the graphics below and share in your community:
APIA Phases of Operation
*Red color font denotes current phase of operation
Phase I reintegration includes essential staff returning to the work place as needed to preform essential functions. Masks must be worn at all times on the premises. No clients/visitors on premises.
Phase II includes:
Assigned staff returned to work in the office on pre-authorized schedules.
Clients services continued via tele-contact.
Meetings continue to be conducted telephonically.
Social distancing practiced at all times.
Continue to wash hands frequently.
No admittance to office without face masks.
Everyone entering the building is screened with a combination of questions and temperature. Log is maintained for at least 30 days of last entry.
Followed CDC guidelines for those who do not pass screening. (Not allowed in; must be symptom free at least 72 hours without medication before returning.)
Phase III includes:
Minimal client appointments on-site.
Beginning small group meetings and gatherings on campus.
Continuing tele-work and increased staggered hours on-site.
Continuing social distancing.
Continuing to wash hands frequently.
Continuing no admittance to office without face masks.
Continuing pre-screening and follow CDC guidelines for those who do not pass screening.
Phase IV includes:
Decreased tele-work and increase staff time on-site.
Increased client appointments on-site.
Increased group meetings and gatherings on campus.
Continued social distancing.
Masks recommended but not required on -campus.
Continue to wash hands frequently.
Continue pre-screening.
Phase V includes: New Normal
Information
Symptoms of COVID-19
How COVID-19 Spreads
Preventing COVID-19/ How to Protect Yourself
What to do if you are Sick
Links to Resources
Regional:
City of Unalaska
https://www.ci.unalaska.ak.us/citymanager/page/coronavirus-covid-19
City of King Cove: Coronavirus/COVID-19 Information and Resources
City of St. Paul: COVID-19
City of Adak: COVID-19 Information
Aleutians East Borough: COVID-19
https://www.aleutianseast.org/
Eastern Aleutian Tribes
https://www.eatribes.org/832-2/
Anchorage:
Municipality of Anchorage: Muni COVID-19site
https://covid-response-moa-muniorg.hub.arcgis.com/
Alaska:
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium CoVID-19 Documents Library:
https://anthc.org/covid-19-resources/
State of Alaska: Alaska DHSS coronavirus website
http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx
State of Alaska Covid-19 Health Mandates
https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-mandates/
Alaska COVID-19 Case Counts
https://coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com/
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) public info hotline (For current information related to COVID-19, including service changes and closures statewide and in the Municipality of Anchorage): 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221
United States:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 site
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 Tribal Communities
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/tribal/index.html
World:
World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
