COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Another COVID death, more than 1,200 new cases reported statewide

Statewide, there were 213 COVID-related hospitalizations as of Wednesday.

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported another recent COVID-19 death Wednesday — an Anchorage man older than 80. That pushes the state’s COVID death toll to 466, contributing to the more than 680,000 fatalities across the country since the pandemic began.

Additionally, the state announced another 1,251 positive COVID cases as Alaska remained at a high alert level — with an estimated seven-day rolling average of 823.8 cases per 100,000 people across the state.

The case count included 16 in Kenai, 14 in Soldotna, 12 in Homer, five in Seward, two in Anchor Point, two in Nikiski and one each in the Kenai Peninsula Borough North and Sterling.

Statewide, there were 213 COVID-related hospitalizations as of Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

At Central Peninsula Hospital there were 21 COVID patients on Wednesday morning — 18 unvaccinated — with five of them in the intensive care unit and one on a ventilator. The intensive care unit was operating at 100% capacity and the hospital as a whole was at 122% capacity Wednesday.

Health officials widely agree that choosing to get vaccinated is the single best tool there is to protect the people in each community.

The Pfizer-BioNTech, now marketed as the Comirnaty vaccine, received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration last month for anyone 16 and older.

Pfizer is still available via emergency use authorization to kids 12 to 15 years old, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen shots have an EUA for anyone 18 and older.

Across the state, 58% of everyone 12 and up was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Wednesday. Another 62.6% had received at least one shot.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s vaccination rate continues to lag behind many other regions.

As of Wednesday, 48.6% of people 12 and older were fully vaccinated and another 52% had received at least one dose. The only census area to have a lower vaccination rate was the Matanuska-Susitna region on Wednesday, which just recently broke 40%.

Getting a COVID vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines do not cost money.

As an incentive to get the shots, the DHSS and Alaska Chamber of Commerce launched a lottery program for newly vaccinated eligible residents that offers weekly winners a prize of at least $49,000. To find out the eligibility requirements or to enter into the giveaway sweepstakes, visit giveakashot.com. The lottery lasts through Oct. 30.

Many different organizations on the central peninsula, including pharmacies in Walmart, Walgreens, and the Kenai Fire Department offer vaccines. They are also available for both residents and visitors at airports in Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks.

Additionally, Soldotna Professional Pharmacy hosts a walk-in clinic in its strip mall storefront at the “Y” intersection of the Sterling and Kenai Spur highways Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Vaccination appointments can also be scheduled through the online portal PrepMod, which can be accessed at myhealth.alaska.gov.

A map of vaccine providers can be found on DHSS’ COVID-19 vaccine website at covidvax.alaska.gov.

People who would like assistance with scheduling a vaccination appointment can call the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management call center. The center operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. The central peninsula call center can be reached at 907-262-4636. The Homer call center can be reached at 907-235-4636. The Seward call center can be reached at 907-224-4636.

COVID testing locations

Officials encourage anyone with symptoms to test for COVID-19, despite vaccination status.

In Kenai, testing is available at the Chignik Lagoon Clinic, Odyssey Family Practice, Kenai Public Health Center and Capstone Clinic.

In Soldotna, testing is available at the Peninsula Community Health Center, Urgent Care of Soldotna, Walgreens and Soldotna Professional Pharmacy.

In Seward, testing is available at Providence Medical Center, Chugachmiut-North Star Health Clinic, Glacier Family Medicine, Seward Community Health Center and the Safeway pharmacy. Starting Sept. 14, the Seward Community Health Center is offering drive-through testing Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

In Homer, testing is available at South Peninsula Hospital, or through other area health care providers at Seldovia Village Tribe Health and Wellness, Kachemak Medical Group and Homer Medical Center.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Homer man arrested for Cooper Landing burglaries

He is accused of at least five different burglaries, troopers said

tease
Christmas Bird Count spots more than 8,000 birds

Count Day was held on Dec. 21, after a weeklong postponement due to heavy snow

Balloons fall on dozens of children armed with confetti poppers during the Ninth Annual Noon-Year’s Eve Party at the Soldotna Public Library on New Year’s Eve. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids mark a colorful countdown to 2025

Soldotna library hosted ‘Noon-Year’s Eve’

Assembly President Peter Ribbens speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly to act on ordinances at Tuesday meeting

The legislation addresses public meeting comments, civil fine accrual, and a rezoning petition

A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Public comments show support for Seward air service

The proposal aims to restore federally subsidized essential air service to Seward

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
Dayan convicted of 2020 murder

Keith Huss, 57, was found dead on Sept. 29, 2020, at a rest area in Turnagain Pass

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Updated: Troopers take into custody ‘person of interest’ in Cooper Landing burglaries

Troopers asked people in Cooper Landing to be vigilant and urged against picking up hitchhikers

The deadline for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, which comes from the fund managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is coming up fast, landing on March 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
PFD applications open for 2025

Residents can submit their applications online until midnight March 31

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Minimum wage increases by $0.18

Another increase, to $13 per hour, is set for July 1

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in