New UAA report recommends suite of COVID-19 measures to avoid overwhelming 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 health care system
by Green & Gold News |
A team of public health researchers at the 熊猫在线视频 (UAA) delivered a report to state and municipal leaders that predicts the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the Anchorage/Mat-Su area and 熊猫在线视频 will rise exponentially between March and September 2020. However, current and additional mitigation measures put in place March 28 are likely to "flatten the curve" and buy additional time for preparation in upcoming weeks. (Read the full report here.)
The Municipality of Anchorage requested the team assess the COVID ACT NOW model and review a recent Imperial College of London paper and quickly report back with recommendations and considerations. Both employ epidemiologic methods to predict the impact of varying degrees of virus transmission and social distancing on the number and timing of COVID-19 hospitalizations.
鈥淨uality data and quality data analysis allow us to project the course of the outbreak so we can put forward appropriate policy and deploy resources in the most effective manner,鈥� said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. 鈥淭he UAA modeling team gathered data, synthesized best practice modeling and provided critical analysis. We will continue to work with them to inform decisions moving forward, and are appreciative that we can share this information and methodology with the governor and the state team so that municipal and state actions are coordinated in the time ahead.鈥�
Based on epidemiological models, the report supports current actions and recommends strengthening state and municipal social distancing measures and mitigation efforts. Similarly, the models predict that if containment measures are relaxed or eliminated prematurely, 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 medical infrastructure would not be able to handle the surge in COVID-19 cases.
鈥淭hese mathematical models 鈥� along with the experience of other cities and countries around the world 鈥� show us how quickly this virus can spread,鈥� said Dr. Tom Hennessy, who led the UAA research team. 鈥淲hat we鈥檙e seeing is that if we do too little, we will overwhelm our hospitals and break our health care system. To save lives, we need to do as much as we can, as soon as we can, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in 熊猫在线视频.鈥�
The team evaluated state and local mandates and interventions and considered appropriate and feasible thresholds for triggering policy actions. Among the recommendations were to strengthen social distancing by mandating shelter in place, restricting nonessential in-state travel and reevaluating the list of essential businesses in the 熊猫在线视频 Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order.
Study findings were shared with Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, 熊猫在线视频 Gov. Mike Dunleavy and 熊猫在线视频 Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink on March 25. The team is now reviewing next steps and conducting additional research to support a coordinated COVID-19 response moving forward.