Real time Balto sequel

New COVID-19 treatments and vaccines are on the horizon nationwide, and for Alaska.

The two leading COVID-19 vaccines could hit the state next month. And monoclonal antibody infusions — a treatment received by President Donald Trump when he was hospitalized with COVID-19 — have already arrived in small numbers.

But health-care providers face unique challenges in distributing those medicines across Alaska, with its hundreds of communities that lack road access and hospitals.

The antibody treatments  have been shown to reduce hospitalizations among at-risk patients. But they’re given through an IV and similar drugs can set off rashes or even anaphylactic shock, so they’re typically delivered in treatment centers where patients can be monitored and access higher levels of care if needed — very different environments than the remote clinics in many Alaska villages.

By Monday, the number had grown to 110 positive inmates, according to DOC spokeswoman Sarah Gallagher. As of Monday, the prison, an hour west of Wasilla near Point McKenzie, housed a total of 1,317 pretrial and sentenced prisoners

.On Saturday, 676 people tested positive for the disease, and on Sunday, another 523. Officials say those numbers underestimate true case counts by up to 50% because there is not enough staff to enter all of the positive cases into the state database.

At least 101 people have died of COVID-19 in the state. That count does not include an inmate at the Goose Creek Correctional Center at Point MacKenzie who died of COVID-19 on Sunday morning. The 69-year-old is the first inmate in the state to die of COVID-19, according to the Department of Corrections. He was transported from Goose Creek to an Anchorage hospital two days before his death. The coronavirus outbreak at Goose Creek has infected more than 200 people at last count

The road still needs to freeze for this logistic to be relevant 

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) -Governor Dunleavy’s new COVID-19 emergency declaration went into effect today. The order  which addresses things from suspension of regulations to critical infrastructure and interstate travel, went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday morning.

Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly spoke about the order, encouraging Fairbanksans to make changes to their holiday plans in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. Matherly said that there is light at the end of the tunnel with new developments in therapeutics and vaccines, and encouraged people to follow the orders and do their part to slow the spread.

He also stressed that he isn’t saying not to celebrate the holidays but instead to consider having fewer people over and ensuring that no one who comes is feeling sick.

Matherly also addressed church services during the Holiday season saying, “I think that if you are uncomfortable being around large crowds even at church, then try to find an online for your church, and just don’t go if you feel uncomfortable. Talk to your pastor, talk to your associate pastor. But if you are going to go worship, go worship, I believe in worship and I believe that you worship with other believers and that’s the way it should be.”

Matherly encouraged anyone who is feeling sick to stay home and to go get tested.

Snow totals as the sun sets for long night of the artic.... it gets a bit of twilight around but it's going to dark for a while...

Updated 1:15 p.m.: A winter storm dropped significant snowfall in the Fairbanks area overnight and into Friday morning. 

Snow totals for the area include 10 inches at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, 12 inches for upper McGrath Road, 8.3 inches for Trainor Gate Road and the Fort Wainwright area, 11 inches in North Pole, 10 inches in Goldstream, 12 inches at mile 17 of Chena Hot Springs Road and 6.2 inches for Birch Hill. 10.1 inches has fallen in Fox as of 9 a.m.

Rick Thoman, a climate specialist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy tweeted that the highest 24-hour snowfall total for Fairbanks in November over the past century is 14.6 inches in November 1970.

“That could well be broken today,” Thoman added.

Dec 11 is vaccine scheduled shot in arm time frame.

Alaska's vaccine distribution plan.

Alaska submitted a draft plan last week for how it will distribute a coronavirus vaccine to communities, once the vaccine becomes available. 

The plan was submitted by a state task force made up of officials from the Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. 

The plan will now be reviewed by the CDC. 

Alaska’s plan emphasizes the state’s unique geography and infrastructure, with 80% of its communities off the road system. 

Canceled flight service has delayed vaccine distribution to some communities in the past, according to the plan. In 2018, delivery of a flu vaccine was delayed after multiple shipments to Utqiagvik failed. While other states rely entirely on the McKesson Corporation, a pharmaceutical distributor, for delivery of the vaccine, Alaska has had problems with relying on one company. 

Instead, it developed a method called “pass-through” in which the cargo is unloaded in Anchorage and booked at high priority for 17 communities that were identified as in need of an alternative. 

Matt Bobo, a state epidemiologist with the immunization program, said some of the storage requirements for the vaccine could be extreme, with one possible scenario that would require the vaccine be stored at -70 degrees. 

“There is no vaccine available in the United States that is stored at that temperature, so that definitely will be a unique challenge,” he said at a press conference Thursday. 

But he said planners have been working to assess this and other contingencies

October 20, 2020 ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) submitted Alaska’s draft COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last Friday for review, as required for all states. The Alaska COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force prepared the document over the past several weeks as part of ongoing preparations for a safe and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccine across the state of Alaska.  

The Alaska COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force is a partnership between DHSS and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). As a national leader in Tribal health, ANTHC works in partnership with Tribal health organizations of the Alaska Tribal Health System.

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink considers statewide trust and safety to be crucial components of the planning efforts. “We are closely watching the progress of clinical trials to ensure no steps are missed during the clinical trial and data review process. For any vaccine made available to Alaskans, safety will remain our top priority. The initial data looks promising, but we will continue to follow it carefully.” 

“The Alaska Native Health Board appreciates DHSS recognizing the importance of collaboration with the Alaska Tribal Health System in taking an inclusive and coordinated approach in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and in the vaccination plan,” noted Alaska Native Health Board President and CEO Verné Boerner.

Key planning partners are preparing for vaccine availability, including the Alaska State Hospital & Nursing Home Association. President and CEO Jared C. Kosin stated, “We are in constant communication with leaders from Alaska’s hospitals and nursing homes so that we will all be ready for distribution of a vaccine to caregivers on the front lines. Our health care heroes continue to lead us through this crisis and effective distribution of the vaccine will be crucial to moving beyond the pandemic.”

The task force has also begun to meet with local partners as they will play critical roles throughout the vaccine distribution process. Local planning teams will engage many key pharmacy, vaccine provider, and point of dispensing (POD) partners, as well as being in position to capitalize on strengths at the community level and communicate about their areas of need. 

Matt Bobo, manager of the Alaska Immunization Program stated, “The plan highlights how the Alaska Immunization Program will use our existing vaccine provider network and accountability systems to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. Though there are unique considerations for the COVID-19 vaccine, our program already works with over 200 health care organizations to prevent and control vaccine-preventable disease in Alaska.” Health care facilities that wish to provide the vaccine will be able to enroll in a COVID-19 vaccine program, which is expected to open for enrollment in the coming weeks.

Reports from the rural Alaska of pandemic. 

On November 22, YKHC reports three hospitalizations and seventy-one new COVID-19 cases in the YK Delta.

Three in-region hospitalizations
Three COVID-19 positive individuals were admitted into the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital. These are the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, and twenty-seventh individuals hospitalized in-region due to COVID-19.

2 cases in YKHC service area village
On November 22, YKHC confirmed two residents of a YKHC service area village tested positive for COVID-19.

30 cases in Akiak
On November 22, YKHC confirmed 30 Akiak residents tested positive for COVID-19.

1 case in Aniak
On November 22, YKHC confirmed one Aniak resident tested positive for COVID-19.

25 cases in Bethel
On November 22, YKHC confirmed 25 Bethel residents tested positive for COVID-19.

2 cases in Hooper Bay
On November 22, YKHC confirmed two Hooper Bay residents tested positive for COVID-19.

1 case in Kwethluk
On November 22, YKHC confirmed one Kwethluk resident tested positive for COVID-19.

3 cases in Napaskiak
On November 22, YKHC confirmed 3 Napaskiak residents tested positive for COVID-19.

1 case in Russian Mission
On November 22, YKHC confirmed one Russian Mission resident tested positive for COVID-19.

6 cases in Tuluksak
On November 22, YKHC confirmed 6 Tuluksak residents tested positive for COVID-19.

Due to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases across the region, case investigations are on-going to identify whether cases are travel-related, a result of close contact, or a result of community-based transmission. Unfortunately, due to the volume of cases in-region, this information may be unavailable on request.

Source. https://www.ykhc.org/seventy-one-covid19-cases-in-ykdelta-on-nov22/

Maine's contingency plan for blizzard conditions.

Maine has held meetings with transportation officials and the National Guard to work through worst-case scenarios, Shah said. If there’s a flood or loss of power, a backup generator for the freezer would kick in. If shots are transported during a blizzard, the vaccine convoy could follow 30 minutes behind a salt truck.

Source.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/11/23/covid-getting-vaccine/

It's the DoD operation warp speed with cares act funding a solution to snow plow needs..

https://www.tigercat.com/between-the-branches/btb-45-now-thats-a-snow-plow/

Us air force mobilized. 

Covid number native american  people report.

Covid.

• YK-Delta Region: 148.77 cases per 100,000
• Anchorage Municipality: 107.86 cases per 100,000
• Kenai Peninsula Borough: 95.46 cases per 100,000
• Other Interior Region: 57.58 cases per 100,000
• Fairbanks North Star Borough: 46.25 cases per 100,000
• Northwest Region: 45.05 cases per 100,000
• Matanuska-Susitna Region: 42.48 cases per 100,000
• Southwest Region: 33.12 cases per 100,000
• Juneau City and Borough: 28.81 cases per 100,000
• Other Southeast Region – Northern: 23.4 cases per 100,000
• Other Southeast Region – Southern: 22.22 cases per 100,000

MODELING APP – The modeling application, which provides the Projected Epidemiological Curve, Reproductive Number and Average Daily Rate, is temporarily unavailable while it’s being revised to take into account the changes to onset date for cases and removal of active and recovered cases.

Cases  – Of the 670 Alaska residents, 343 are male, 322 are female and five are unknown. 53 are under the age of 10; 79 are aged 10-19; 138 are aged 20-29; 121 are aged 30-39; 96 are aged 40-49; 83 are aged 50-59; 61 are aged 60-69; 28 are aged 70-79, and 11 are aged 80 or older

Source 

https://alaska-native-news.com/alaska-covid-19-case-count-summary-nov-21-2020/52301/

While we are all waiting for vaccine.

Two most promising medicines have been approved for the treatment of covid. 

Regen by lilly 

And remdisiver 

For scheduled delivery to va.

https://www.denverpost.com/2006/11/10/alaska-home-to-highest-concentration-of-veterans-in-u-s/

Coast guards capacities alaska.

Alaska's vastness, remoteness, and lack of infrastructure created enormous challenges for Coast Guard operators' efforts to communicate effectively and gain domain awareness – challenges that need to be addressed to strengthen the security and secure the future of the region,” said DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology William Bryan, who paid a visit to ADAC in December 2019.

“The missions of the Coast Guard are continually evolving to meet the needs of a changing Arctic,” Mr. Bryan continued. “The visit allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the ADAC research and education program, as well as the Coast Guard’s operational challenges and ADAC's engagement with key stakeholders.”

Source DHS contingent plans . 

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/news/2020/04/20/snapshot-overcoming-tyranny-distance-arctic

May article.

Yukon retreat veterans home.

Wilderness Retreats For Vets is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. Our mission is the enhance the lives of veterans who served our country.

In 2017 we provided home cooked meals, clothing, household items and food to 49 vet families in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta region. Four veterans enjoyed retreats at our wilderness homestead. Twelve individuals were given transportation to or from outlying villages. We also donated to burial expenses for 5 vet families in their time of sorrow.

Once again, WRFV donated wild roses and tundra roses for master gardener, 

Source. 

 https://deltadiscovery.com/wilderness-retreats-for-vets-2017-annual-report/

Yukon delta. 

Subsistence-based communities in this region are remote and isolated—most of them have airports, but they don’t have roads or many cars. In winter, many delta residents rely on snowmobiles to travel over the landscape and cross ice-covered rivers and ponds to reach hunting and gathering locations that provide about half of their food supply.

The Arctic and Subarctic regions are warming faster than anywhere else on Earth. In recent years, residents of the Yukon Delta have noticed unusual conditions. They’ve seen warmer winters with less snow and more unpredictable weather. Ice on the rivers and sea is thinner than in the past, and break-up of ice happens earlier in the year. With reduced snow cover and ice that can’t support the weight of people traveling over it, hunters are restricted to smaller areas, and they can have difficulty harvesting the game upon which they depend.

In order to make choices that will help them adapt to new conditions, residents need an understanding of how things are changing and how those changes might affect them. The lack of historical baseline data in this remote location makes it difficult to predict how things will change in the future. Especially among young residents, people wonder, “Where will we get the resources we need in the future? Will we need to build roads or change some of our traditions to continue thriving?

Air port conditions in Yukon delta airport weather observatory. 

..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS
EVENING TO 3 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Plan on difficult
travel conditions. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches,
with localized amounts up to 5 inches, are expected.

* WHERE...Yukon Delta.

* WHEN...6 PM Monday to 3 AM Tuesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 55 mph will
cause areas of blowing and drifting snow reducing the
visibility to one half mile or less

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
524 AM AKST Mon Nov 23 2020

AKZ214-241500-
/O.CON.PAFG.CF.Y.0003.201124T0900Z-201126T0000Z/
Yukon Delta-
Including Mountain Village, Emmonak, Alakanuk, Kotlik,
Pilot Station, St Marys, Scammon Bay, Marshall, Nunam Iqua,
and Pitkas Point
524 AM AKST Mon Nov 23 2020

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
TO 3 PM AKST WEDNESDAY...

* LOCATION...Yukon Delta Coast.

* COASTAL FLOODING...3 to 5 feet above the normal highest tide
line.

* TIMING...Late Monday night through Wednesday evening, with the
highest water levels Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night.

* IMPACTS...Water may approach some buildings in the Sheldon`s
Point Subdivision in Nunam Iqua. Higher than normal water
levels are expected in Scammon Bay. Minor erosion is also
possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Coastal Flood Advisory indicates that winds and tides will
combine to generate flooding of low areas

The Arctic Circle is one of the most remote regions of the world, difficult to cross due to extreme climate and rocky terrain. Combined with the fact that few people live there, it is often seen as hard to travel on land. Indeed, in Alaska, many locals are reliant on bush pilots or snowmobiles to traverse the region due to poor road links.

However, it is possible, depending on where you are, to reach the Arctic Circle in your car or other motor vehicle. Here’s how you can enjoy a scenic road trip to the Arcti