Average hospital capacity is returning to manageable levels statewide, as Alaskans recover from a third wave of the coronavirus — driven by the omicron variant.

Gene Wiseman, the section chief of the rural and community health systems with the state, said in an interview Thursday that just about 4% of current statewide hospitalizations are related to COVID-19.

“Now we’re kind of back to normal hospital capacities from what we’ve seen, without a surge of COVID or just during regular operations,” Wiseman said.

The omicron wave, which took off at the turn of new year and started to recede in late January, was the third major surge of COVID cases in Alaska since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago.

Wiseman said, however, that omicron hasn’t caused as many severe COVID cases as its predecessor, the delta variant. Delta patients required much more attention and intensive care unit-level care in the hospital, he said.

“Our ICU capacity during this wave of omicron was there was more capacity during omicron than there was delta,” he said.

As of Wednesday, there were 69 COVID-related hospitalizations in the state. Around two weeks prior, that number was at 106.

In the Gulf Coast — which includes the Kenai Peninsula — COVID hospitalizations during the omicron wave were less than half of what they were while the delta variant was the dominant strain. The peak hospitalizations in the region was 15 on Feb. 22 during the omicron wave, and 38 during the delta surge on Oct. 25, 2021.

Bruce Richards, the external affairs director of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, said Thursday the facility is also following statewide COVID hospitalization trends.

“It’s really tapered off to basically zero,” he said.

Richards noted that while there have still been a few COVID-related hospitalizations, the amount isn’t as demanding as previous waves. Last October, for example, there were periods where around 50% of CPH’s inpatients were being treated for the virus.

Although omicron hasn’t been as severe as other variants, it has still impacted Alaska’s health care system. Wiseman said because of the increased transmissibility, many more health care workers have been forced to quarantine after testing positive or ending up as a close contact.

“It was like the other side of the coin,” Wiseman said. “You were seeing a lot of staff sick calls.”

Recently, as cases continue to drop, he said fewer health care professionals have been out of work because of COVID. Richards also emphasized that while COVID hospitalizations are falling, that doesn’t mean facilities are necessarily less busy overall.

Richards said CPH was at 96% capacity Thursday — with “hardly any COVID,” but with other injuries and illnesses.

Statewide COVID hospitalization trends can be viewed at the DHSS Coronavirus Response Hub website.

Getting a vaccine

Officials widely agree getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID will help slow the spread and protect people from severe illness, hospitalization and death.

COVID-19 vaccines do not cost money, and are available to people with and without health insurance. Many organizations on the central peninsula — including Walmart, Walgreens, the Kenai Fire Department and Kenai Public Health — offer vaccines.

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. The clinic is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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 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.

Testing locations

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

In Kenai, testing is available at Odyssey Family Practice, Kenai Public Health Center and Capstone Clinic. At-home test kits are also available for free at Kenai Public Health.

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

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. In Seward, testing is available at Providence Medical Center, Glacier Family Medicine, Seward Community Health Center and the Safeway pharmacy.

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