Edwards AFB COVID 19 Updates

COVID-19 Updates

FLU

ICD 032 Rev 1 – HPCON A. Consolidated DoD Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection Guidance, Rev 4

References:

Consolidated DoD Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection Guidance, Rev 4, 30 Jan 2023

This Installation Command Directive (ICD) will apply to all Edwards AFB and AF Plant 42 personnel, effective immediately. The guidance in this ICD implements HPCON A, IAW Consolidated DoD Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection Guidance, Rev 4, Ref (a), and rescinds all prior COVID ICDs - 013, 020, 022rev3, 024rev1, 030.

The following measures are effective immediately:

1. (U) HPCON: IAW Ref (a) Edwards AFB and AF Plant 42 are in HPCON Alpha.

2. (U) SERVICES: FSS available services and current operating hours are available at https://www.edwardsfss.com/FSSHPCON

3. (U) STOP REPORTING IN THE 412TW COVID-19 ISOLATION/QUARANTINE TRACKER: Commanders/Directors are no longer required to report COVID-19 status via the 412 TW tracking tool (https://tba.area52.afnoapps.usaf.mil/covidtracker/).

Members are reminded of the existing policies:

4. (U) MASK ON PERSON: All personnel will continue to carry a mask on their person, even where mask wear is not mandatory. Individuals should be mindful of the effectiveness of each type of mask.

5. (U) DIGNITY AND RESPECT: All persons retain the option to wear a mask even when it is not mandatory. Personnel who choose to continue to wear a mask must be treated with dignity and respect. Many Team T-Cot-A-TU members are at high risk for severe illness, or have high risk family members at home. Therefore, if you approach someone who chooses to wear a mask, please consider wearing your mask as a courtesy to them.

6. (U) ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS: Commanders, Directors, and Facility Owners, at their discretion, may impose additional restrictions to reduce risk to mission.

7. (U) EXPOSURE PROTOCOLS are IAW Ref (a). The most up to date exposure protocols for Edwards AFB and Plant 42 can be found at https://www.edwards.af.mil/news/coronavirus/ .

8. (U) COVID REPORTING: Members are required to report the following to Public Health (661-277-2244) for further direction and reporting

a. COVID-19 Positive (or suspect they are COVID-19 positive)

b. Hospitalization due to COVID-19 (and return from hospital)

Please direct any ICD 032 Rev1 questions to the 412 TW/CAT Admin Box 412tw.cat.admin@us.af.mil

(U) THIS ICD RESCINDS THE FOLLOWING ICDS:

013 DFAC Meal Card Holder Process During Isolation or Quarantine

020 (PAUSED) Acknowledgement of Vaccination Mandate for DoD Civilian Employees

022 Rev 3 (PAUSED) COVID-19 Screening Testing

024 Rev 1 COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine Procedures

030 Pause of Certain Measures Based on An Individual’s COVID-19 Vaccination Status

(U) ICDs currently in effect:

032 Rev 1 HPCON A - Consolidated DoD Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection Guidance, Rev 4

Where do I find more information about COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has great resources regarding COVID-19. Please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

For current COVID-19 trends in the US, State, and County, please visit CDC Data Tracker: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

Please talk to your medical provider if you have any specific questions.
Where do I find more information about the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated information about the COVID-19 vaccine. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

For more specific information, please talk to your medical provider. For general questions, you can call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

To get a COVID-19 Vaccine, visit your local pharmacy or text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX) for a list of locations.

All COVID-19 vaccines are available at the 412th MDG Immunizations Clinic on a walk-in basis during regular duty hours.
Where do I find D.O.D guidance on COVID-19?
The US Dept of Defense has a “Spotlight for the DoD Response to COVID-19” with the latest guidelines. Link: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Coronavirus-DOD-Response/

There may be additional guidance based on Agency, Service, MAJCOM, base and state/local government policy. Please talk to your supervisor for specific information. Guidance may change in response to the public health emergency.
Who can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine?
The only contraindication to getting a COVID-19 vaccine is if you have had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or the components of the vaccine.

Anyone with a high risk medical condition, especially pregnant women, are highly encouraged to get vaccinated due to potential for severe symptoms and complications from a COVID-19 infection.

For more information and specific concerns, talk to your medical provider.

Further clinical guidance can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html
If I had COVID-19, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine provides broad longer-lasting immunity, whereas an infection may not provide you the same immunity in the future.

For other FAQs, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
What are the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Just like all other vaccines that have been developed since 1798, the COVID-19 vaccine teaches your immune system how to create proteins (called antibodies) that will recognize and fight the disease, in this case the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The COVID-19 vaccine significantly protects you from severe illness and death from COVID-19, but also decreases your risk of getting infected and transmitting disease. The research has consistently proven that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and safe.

For more information, please visit the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

For up to date science information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/covid19_vaccine_safety.html
Should I get a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster?
Yes, to ensure you are “Up to Date”, get a booster if you are eligible. A booster increases the immune response, which improves protection against getting a serious COVID-19 infection.

For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
I’m pregnant, can I get the vaccine?
Yes! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) strongly recommend vaccination of pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant or just had a baby.

Risks for complications from a COVID-19 infection are increased in unvaccinated pregnant women. Symptomatic pregnant women have more than twice the risk of requiring hospitalization (to include Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, invasive ventilation, and Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)) and 70% increased risk of death. A COVID-19 infection in pregnancy also leads to pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, coagulopathy, preterm delivery (leading to NICU stay for the baby) and stillbirth.

The CDC is tracking side effects/adverse events in vaccinated pregnant women, and there have been no safety concerns with vaccine for mom or baby. In a study of over 35,000 pregnant women who were vaccinated, no safety issues or miscarriages were identified.

In fact, just like with Influenza and TdaP vaccination, your own maternal antibodies will pass to your baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding – further protecting baby from COVID-19 after birth.

Please talk to your medical provider for any concerns and understanding the risks to you and your baby if you choose not to be vaccinated.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
Child and Youth Programs (CYP) COVID-19 Update