COVID FAQs
Find answers to questions about COVID-19. Information is provided from the Centers for Disease Control, DHSS Alaska, and other experts.
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Find answers to questions about COVID-19. Information is provided from the Centers for Disease Control, DHSS Alaska, and other experts.
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer and an emergency room physician, answers some frequently asked questions about COVID-19 safety in the following video clips.
Alaska COVID-19 Testing
COVID Case Decline
COVID-19 Safety Importance
Flu Shot Importance
Why Masks Matter
The following information is the latest from both the Centers for Disease Control and State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
How do I know if I have COVID-19?
The only way to truly know is to get tested. There is a wide range of symptoms that may or may not appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include, but is not limited to:
When should I seek emergency medical attention?
If you are showing any of these symptoms, get emergency medical care IMMEDIATELY:
Why is it more important than ever to get a flu shot?
Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. They share many of the same symptoms, but COVID-19 appears to spread more easily and causes more serious illnesses in some people.
Because some of the symptoms are similar, people may seek emergency medical care thinking they have COVID-19 when they actually have the flu. It’s important to not overload our emergency rooms, reserving that care only those who need it.
Healthcare providers encourage everyone who can get a flu shot to do so.
How do I protect myself when going out?
What should I consider before being around people outside my family?
In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.
Keep these items on hand and use them when venturing out: a mask, tissues, and a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if possible.
If possible, avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear masks.
Who is at risk?
Based on what we know at this time, adults of any age with the following conditions might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:
Should I continue to get routine medical care?
Where can I get tested?
Please see the Alaska Department of Health and Social Service’s testing site locator map:
https://coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com/app/2d92b77bc8044329a1ee3954b063bd8c
What do I need to know about traveling?
Alaska travel information
To stop COVID-19, including new strains of virus, from coming into Alaska, the state encourages all travelers to test 72 hours prior to arrival. Until recently, Alaskans and tourists who arrived without a prior negative test had to pay $250 to be tested at the airport. Anchorage International Airport now offers free COVID-19 testing for those who did not test before entering Alaska.
Travelers are encouraged to physical distance until they receive their negative test results. A second test 5-14 days after arrival is also recommended if the traveler is not fully vaccinated. Travel declarations for those arriving to the state may be completed online through the Alaska Travel Portal at www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com.
As of Jan 26, 2021, the CDC requires international travelers to show proof of a negative test from within the last 72 hours on arrival back in the US.The state still recommends following the COVID safety protocols of wearing masks, physical distancing, hand washing and keeping gatherings small.
How do I know if I have COVID-19?
The only way to truly know is to get tested. There is a wide range of symptoms that may or may not appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include, but is not limited to:
When should I seek emergency medical attention?
If you are showing any of these symptoms, get emergency medical care IMMEDIATELY:
Why is it more important than ever to get a flu shot?
Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. They share many of the same symptoms, but COVID-19 appears to spread more easily and causes more serious illnesses in some people.
Because some of the symptoms are similar, people may seek emergency medical care thinking they have COVID-19 when they actually have the flu. It’s important to not overload our emergency rooms, reserving that care only those who need it.
Healthcare providers encourage everyone who can get a flu shot to do so.
How do I protect myself when going out?
What should I consider before being around people outside my family?
In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.
Keep these items on hand and use them when venturing out: a mask, tissues, and a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if possible.
If possible, avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear masks.
Who is at risk?
Based on what we know at this time, adults of any age with the following conditions might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:
Should I continue to get routine medical care?
Where can I get tested?
Please see the Alaska Department of Health and Social Service’s testing site locator map:
https://coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com/app/2d92b77bc8044329a1ee3954b063bd8c
What do I need to know about traveling?
Alaska travel information
To stop COVID-19, including new strains of virus, from coming into Alaska, the state encourages all travelers to test 72 hours prior to arrival. Until recently, Alaskans and tourists who arrived without a prior negative test had to pay $250 to be tested at the airport. Anchorage International Airport now offers free COVID-19 testing for those who did not test before entering Alaska.
Travelers are encouraged to physical distance until they receive their negative test results. A second test 5-14 days after arrival is also recommended if the traveler is not fully vaccinated. Travel declarations for those arriving to the state may be completed online through the Alaska Travel Portal at www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com.
As of Jan 26, 2021, the CDC requires international travelers to show proof of a negative test from within the last 72 hours on arrival back in the US.The state still recommends following the COVID safety protocols of wearing masks, physical distancing, hand washing and keeping gatherings small.