Coronavirus

Tim Dillon, executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, helps Doug Weaver, owner of Northern Superior Construction, apply for an AK CARES grant through Credit Union 1 at the KPEDD office in Kenai, Alaska on July 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Trends: CARES Act a source of relief for borough, city residents

One element of the CARES Act was the Coronavirus Relief Fund, through which the State of Alaska received $1.25 billion.

Tim Dillon, executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, helps Doug Weaver, owner of Northern Superior Construction, apply for an AK CARES grant through Credit Union 1 at the KPEDD office in Kenai, Alaska on July 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
CDC photo

DHSS: 157 new cases

The new cases bring Alaska’s statewide case total to 61,089.

CDC photo
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Vaccinations continue to climb

More than half of peninsula seniors — 52.30% — are fully vaccinated.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Kenai extends disaster declaration to end of May

The declaration was first issued on March 18, 2020 and has since been extended six times.

The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai shop local program extended 1 month

As of March 3, more than $55,000 in vouchers had already been distributed and more than 50 businesses were signed up to participate.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)

Heritage Place looks to reopen Monday after employee tests positive for COVID-19

A second test taken by the employee came back negative.

Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More than 30% of peninsula residents 16 and older have had at least 1 vaccine dose

More than half of peninsula seniors — 51.86% — are fully vaccinated.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, seen here leaving the House chambers on Feb. 22, questioned masking rules on the floor of the House Monday and said there was political bias behind enforcement of rules. However, also on Monday two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 other people, including two House lawmakers, have gone into quarantine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Christopher Kurka, R-Wasilla, seen here leaving the House chambers on Feb. 22, questioned masking rules on the floor of the House Monday and said there was political bias behind enforcement of rules. However, also on Monday two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 other people, including two House lawmakers, have gone into quarantine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A Department of Corrections nurse vaccinates a Fairbanks Correctional Center inmate. The DOC eased restrictions on March 15, 2021, to allow attorneys to visit fully vaccinated inmates at DOC facilities. (Courtesy Photo / DOC)

DOC to allow attorney-client visitation in facilities

Attorneys will be allowed to visit fully vaccinated inmates in person again.

A Department of Corrections nurse vaccinates a Fairbanks Correctional Center inmate. The DOC eased restrictions on March 15, 2021, to allow attorneys to visit fully vaccinated inmates at DOC facilities. (Courtesy Photo / DOC)
Dr. Ann Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, answers questions from people on the Kenai Peninsula about COVID-19 during a virtual Q&A session with borough officials on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)
Dr. Ann Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, answers questions from people on the Kenai Peninsula about COVID-19 during a virtual Q&A session with borough officials on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Almost 1 in 4 borough residents has at least one vaccine dose

59% of borough residents 65 and older have received at least one dose.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Professional Pharmacy owner Justin Ruffridge (left) speaks to Dan Nelson, emergency manager of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management, at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. OEM has partnered with the local pharmacy to host large vaccination clinics on the peninsula. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More than 1,000 residents vaccinated in weekend clinics

About 29.9% of borough residents 16 and older have received at least one dose

Soldotna Professional Pharmacy owner Justin Ruffridge (left) speaks to Dan Nelson, emergency manager of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management, at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. OEM has partnered with the local pharmacy to host large vaccination clinics on the peninsula. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 98 new cases yesterday

Affected peninsula communities include Anchor Point, Homer, Kenai and Other North

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold sits in a Senate gallery on Friday, in Juneau. The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday to allow leadership to restrict access to the Capitol by Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, over violations of protocols meant to guard against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)

Senate leaders accommodate Reinbold over virus rules

Two days earlier, senators voted to allow leadership to restrict access by Reinbold to the Capitol.

Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold sits in a Senate gallery on Friday, in Juneau. The Alaska Senate voted Wednesday to allow leadership to restrict access to the Capitol by Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, over violations of protocols meant to guard against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)
A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

1 in 3 Alaskans 16 and older have at least 1 vaccine dose

The milestone comes on the one-year anniversary of Alaska’s first COVID-19 case

A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski’s Bethany Carstens (right) and ACS’s Jordan Todd tip off to begin the 2019 Class 3A girls state basketball championship at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Voices: March Madness will go on, safely

Some may question ASAA and our schools if conducting activities is a wise decision in the current environment.

  • Mar 11, 2021
  • Billy Strickland, executive director Alaska School Activities Association
  • OpinionCoronavirus
Nikiski’s Bethany Carstens (right) and ACS’s Jordan Todd tip off to begin the 2019 Class 3A girls state basketball championship at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)

Vaccinated Heritage Place residents now able to hug, touch visitors

The change comes after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued new guidance.

Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 238 new cases yesterday

Affected peninsula communities include Seward, Kenai and Soldotna

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink addresses members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, March 11 in Alaska. (Screenshot)

Health officials emphasize importance of vaccinations

About 26.9% of peninsula residents 16 and older have received at least one dose

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink addresses members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, March 11 in Alaska. (Screenshot)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)