COVID-19 Update

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases. Symptoms may appear  2-14 days after exposure. Watch for these symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

If you or someone in your household has any of these symptoms, please call the Dena’ina Wellness Center (DWC) at 907-335-7500 before entering DWC.  Staff will work with you to decide the best course of action.

Seek medical attention immediately if you develop  emergency warning signs  for COVID-19. Emergency warning signs include:

• Trouble breathing.
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
• New confusion or inability to arouse.
• Bluish lips or face.
• This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Take the following steps to further STOP THE SPREAD:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds and avoid touching your face. Use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol when hand washing is not possible.
• Avoid touching other people and objects as much as possible and apply disinfectant to work and play areas and clean all contact areas on a regular basis.
• Stay at home and practice social distancing which means keeping at least six (6) feet of distance to help prevent the spread of germs.
• Help regarding questions or concerns is only a phone call away. Please call the Dena’ina Wellness Center at 907-335-7500 if you have further questions.

Dena’ina Wellness Center

We continue to offer services to our beneficiaries at the Dena’ina Wellness Center during the COVID-19 crisis. Please contact us at 907-335-7500 to schedule an appointment for Primary Care, Dental, Behavioral Health and Optometry services.

Primary Care

• Onsite services available.
• Onsite COVID-19 rapid testing is available to beneficiaries presenting with COVID-19 related symptoms and as requested by providers.
• COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available. Please call your provider for additional information or to make an appointment.

Dental and Optometry

• Routine and emergent services are available onsite by appointment.
• Optometry services are also available onsite.

Behavioral Health

• Group meetings are in person.
• Individual appointments are available in-person or by telemedicine.
• An onsite clinician is available to provide urgent services at the request of Primary Care.

Physical Therapy

• Services are available onsite.

Wellness

• The gym is open 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Temperature checks are required at the kiosk by the gym. Masks are not required. Call the gym at 907-335-7589 for more information and find the current fitness class schedule here.
• Wellness activities, both in person and on Zoom, have returned. Find details in the current wellness calendar here.

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Tyotkas Elder Center

Beginning, March 14, Tyotkas Elder Center will reopen to registered Elders for in-person dining on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Meals will be delivered for home-bound Elders on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In person activities will be offered each Tuesday and Thursday.

All visitors will receive a temperature check and a brief COVID-19 interview upon entry. Masks will be optional.

Call Tami at 907-335-7212 to make an appointment for transportation.

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Na’ini Family and Social Services

• Domestic violence and sexual assault advocates are available. For assistance, call 907-335-7628 or 907-690-2257.
• To make a report of harm to children or vulnerable adults, call 907-335-7628  or 907-690-2257.
• The food cache is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For assistance, first call 907-335-7600.
• General assistance, energy assistance, burial support and essential needs applications are available for Alaska Native and American Indian people. For assistance, call 907-335-7600.
• Family preservation services, including assistance to at-risk families are available. For assistance, call 907-335-7600.

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Rental and Mortgage Assistance

The Kenaitze/Salamatof Tribally Designated Housing Entity has a program for qualified Alaska Native and American Indians, who have disproportionately suffered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide emergency rental assistance for the payment of rent, utilities, and arrearages. Please see the application for additional details or to apply for funds.

Mortgage assistance is also available to qualified individuals. Contact the Housing office at 907-335-7288 for assistance.

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Education Programs

Limited in-person opportunities are available for current program participants. Contact the Education division at 907-335-7260 or 907-335-7290 for information about in-person and online classes.

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Transportation

Limited transportation services are available. For transportation services, call 907-335-7212.

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Administration Building

The Tribe’s administration building on Willow Street is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For assistance, call 907-335-7200.

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Tribal Court

The Tribal Court building is temporarily closed to the public. Hearings are being held telephonically. For assistance with Tribal Court, call 907-335-7233.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 home page is updated frequently with resources for individuals and the community, along with information for travelers.
• The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Coronovirus Response Hub provides resources, links to Alaska Health Mandates and case counts.
• Health Mandates Issued for the State of Alaska are updated daily.
• Coping with Stress offers Alaskans tips for well-being.

• What Tribal Members need to know
• Supporting our Elders
• Caring or someone with COVID-19
• Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the home