With 103 cases reported on Saturday, Alaska saw a total of 475 COVID-19 new cases this week, as well as two additional deaths and 13 additional hospitalizations associated with the disease, according to data from the state’s Department of Health and Social Services.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough saw nine new resident cases in that same time frame. No additional Kenai Peninsula cases were reported Saturday. While the state’s overall risk level remained at “intermediate” this week, the risk levels on the Kenai Peninsula are currently “low.” Risk levels are based on the case rate in a given community and indicate how many cases on average have occurred per 100,000 people per day.
The two deaths reported this week were both Anchorage women, one in her 40s and another in her 80s. The deaths were reported on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, respectively. The latest COVID-19 death that has been reported by DHSS occurred on Sept. 3, according to the state’s Coronavirus Response Hub.
Deaths related to COVID-19 are typically not reported in real-time and are confirmed in one of two ways: by the health care facility where the patient was admitted, or through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s death certification process, which is explained on the DHSS website.
Locally, 17,490 tests have been conducted on the Kenai Peninsula. The seven-day positivity rate for the region is .42%.
As of Saturday, the average turnaround time for tests processed at one of the two state public health labs is 1.8 days.
There are currently 32 Alaska residents with COVID-19 who require hospitalization, based on reporting from 23 of the 27 hospital facilities in the state. Eight of those patients are being treated on a ventilator.
There were 47 Alaskans who recovered from COVID-19 this week, for a total of 2,168.
Testing locations on the Kenai Peninsula
On the central peninsula, testing is available at Capstone Family Clinic, K-Beach Medical, Soldotna Professional Pharmacy, Central Peninsula Urgent Care, Peninsula Community Health Services, Urgent Care of Soldotna, the Kenai Public Health Center and Odyssey Family Practice. Call Kenai Public Health at 907-335-3400 for information on testing criteria for each location.
In Homer, testing continues to be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at South Peninsula Hospital’s main entrance as well as through SVT Health & Wellness clinics in Homer, Seldovia and Anchor Point. Call ahead at the hospital at 907-235-0235 and at the SVT clinics at 907-226-2228.
In Ninilchik, NTC Community Clinic is providing testing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The testing is only for those traveling, symptomatic, needing testing for medical procedures, or with a known exposure after seven days. Only 20 tests will be offered per day. To make an appointment to be tested at the NTC Community Clinic, call 907-567-3970.
In Seward, testing is available at Providence Seward, Seward Community Health Center, Glacier Family Medicine and North Star Health Clinic.
Information for this article is based on data reported by state and local agencies between Sept. 6 and Sept. 12.
Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.
