The Kenai Peninsula Borough reported zero new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, according to data released by the Alaska State Department of Health and Social Services.
Statewide, Alaska saw 42 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.
There were 18 new cases reported in Anchorage, four in Fairbanks, three in both Copper River Census Area and Hooper Bay, two each in Craig, North Pole, Palmer, Wasilla and one each in Eagle River, Homer, Juneau and Wrangell.
Alaska remains at the low alert level — categorized by having between zero and five positive COVID cases per 100,000 people — at 3.31 positive cases.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough also remains in the low alert division. The borough reported an average of 2.4 cases on Tuesday. The Fairbanks North Star Borough is now the lowest risk of all 11 census regions after a late-pandemic breakout, with only 1.8 cases per 100,000 people.
There have been 1,595 resident hospitalizations and 366 resident deaths since the pandemic began, with zero new hospitalizations and zero new deaths reported on Wednesday. According to DHSS, there are currently 15 COVID-related hospitalizations with five of the patients on ventilators.
Vaccination rates
State vaccination rates have been updated to reflect the newly eligible 12- to 15-year-old demographic, which now qualifies for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Anyone 18 and older is eligible for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen shots.
Over half of Alaskans 12 and older — 54% — had received at least one vaccine dose as of Wednesday, and 49% were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 42% of people 12 and up were fully vaccinated.
Out of 11 Alaska regions, the Kenai Peninsula Borough ranks No. 10 in vaccine rollout — at 42%. The Juneau Region still leads the state with a 70% vaccination rate for those 12 and older, according to data updated on Wednesday.
Getting vaccinated
Multiple vaccination appointments were available as of Wednesday, according to PrepMod, the online portal through which appointments can be scheduled. PrepMod can be accessed at myhealth.alaska.gov.
These clinics include the Kenai Public Health Center and Soldotna Professional Pharmacy.
Vaccines are also available through the Kenai Fire Department by calling 907-283-8270, every week at the Soldotna Wednesday Market and 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.
A map of vaccine providers can be found on DHSS’ COVID-19 vaccine website at covidvax.alaska.gov. Many providers are using the state’s program to schedule appointments, which can be accessed at myhealth.alaska.gov. Instructions on how to schedule an appointment through alternative entities can be found on the map by clicking the icon of the preferred provider. Appointments at Walmart can be scheduled at walmart.com/covidvaccine.
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.
The City of Kenai is offering transportation to and from vaccine clinics located in Kenai in partnership with CARTS and Alaska Cab. Rides will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis until the budgeted funds run out. In order to participate in the program, people must be going from an address located in Kenai to a clinic in Kenai and will need to provide proof of vaccination. To schedule a ride, Alaska Cab can be reached at 907-283-6000 and CARTS can be reached at 907-262-8900.
COVID-19 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, Dena’ina Health Clinic, 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 is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the lower level of South Peninsula Hospital 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 from noon to 4 p.m. 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.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
