Dear Steller Community,

I realize there has been a lot of information going around about the Coronavirus, but I also wanted to update you all.

The District continues to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in Alaska. As of today, there has been one confirmed case in Anchorage. We have carefully considered the risk and impact in the event additional cases are identified in the coming days, and we believe it is our responsibility to take preventative steps in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. In response to this concern, the District has decided to extend spring break for students through next week. Our goal with this action is to flatten the curve of additional cases within schools and, by extension, within the community, with the ultimate goal to resume regular operations in the District as soon as possible.

Although students will not return to school next week, ASD employees will report to work in order to plan and develop distance learning plans for students until they are able to return to their schools.

If you are sick, stay home. For those of you who traveled to any area identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as Level 3, (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-europe); (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html)
the CDC’s direction is to stay home for a period of 14 days after returning to the United States. Do not go to work during this 14-day period.

Please continue to follow best practices to avoid the spread of COVID-19, (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/protect/index.html).
It is recommended that group gatherings be limited consistent with CDC guidelines for response during a flu pandemic. CDC information for People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19 is a reliable resource for information.

Annette Johansen, M.Ed., BSN, RN, NCSN
Steller Secondary School Nurse
2508 Blueberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 742-4963 Fax: 742-4966
Office hours: M-F 0730-1500

The CDC came out with a new update that is extremely important for families that are traveling over Spring Break. CLICK HERE to read directly from CDC.

A mandatory 14-day HOME ISOLATION is in effect for all people returning from the following countries with a LEVEL 3 TRAVEL HEALTH NOTICE :

CHINA
IRAN
ITALY
SOUTH KOREA

The Muni Department of Health will ONLY get notification of people returning from CHINA & IRAN which means that the muni will be calling anyone that returns from ONLY IRAN & CHINA; all others returning from ITALY & SOUTH KOREA will be notified at customs of the home isolation requirement and will NOT be monitored by the muni.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has enlisted Alaska 2-1-1 as a resource for handling the large volume of calls from the public with questions regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).  The 2-1-1 information referral specialists are currently equipped to take and triage such calls, and to refer callers to appropriate resources according to their current procedures. Starting Monday, March 9, the 2-1-1- call center staff will be supplemented with an Alaska Respond volunteer who will be in the call center and able to support the staff.  AK Respond volunteers are licensed medical professionals and will be able to lend their health care expertise to this effort. For Alaskans who live in areas where 2-1-1 cannot be accessed, please call 800-478-2221.

Annette Johansen, M.Ed., BSN, RN, NCSN
Steller Secondary School Nurse