Coronavirus

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 75 new peninsula cases

DHSS reported 505 new cases in Alaska Thursday.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Risk levels

Risk levels: Nov. 19

34 schools are operating 100% remotely until Nov. 25

Risk levels
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce addresses constituents in a YouTube video posted on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 in Alaska. (Screenshot)

Mayors Pierce and Gabriel respond to COVID-19 in separate videos

Gabriel voiced his concern regarding Central Peninsula Hospital, which reached capacity on Monday.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce addresses constituents in a YouTube video posted on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 in Alaska. (Screenshot)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

551 new COVID-19 cases reported

Wednesday was the fifth day in a row that the state has recorded a daily case increase of more than 550.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Risk levels

Schools status continues to be high risk

All students at 34 peninsula schools continue to operate 100% remotely through at least Nov. 25

Risk levels
Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai and Soldotna adapt winter activities to COVID-19

Modifications will be made in response to growing COVID-19 case numbers

Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on the current screening process is seen here in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH moves into surge space; state hits 25,000 cases

CPH opened nine surge beds on Tuesday, eight of which are occupied

A sign instructing patients and visitors on the current screening process is seen here in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
This September photo shows a sign in downtown Juneau encouraging people to get tested for COVID-19. Recent analysis shared by Alaska Department of Health and Social Services shows the majority of Alaskans have at least one underlying health condition that increases risk of serious illness from COVID-19. (Ben Hohesntatt / Juneau Empire File)

Report: Most Alaska adults have conditions that increase risk for serious illness from COVID-19

Obesity, smoking and diabetes among common health issues, according to health officials.

This September photo shows a sign in downtown Juneau encouraging people to get tested for COVID-19. Recent analysis shared by Alaska Department of Health and Social Services shows the majority of Alaskans have at least one underlying health condition that increases risk of serious illness from COVID-19. (Ben Hohesntatt / Juneau Empire File)
Risk levels

Risk levels remain high at all peninsula school districts

The earliest in-person learning could resume for schools currently operating remotely is Nov. 30.

Risk levels
In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy faces criticism for his handling of COVID-19, from those who think he’s not doing enough to address rising case counts to those who think he’s been overreaching. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Dunleavy defends virus approach amid criticism

He issued a new disaster declaration, which took effect Monday, despite questions from some lawmakers about its legal underpinnings.

In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy faces criticism for his handling of COVID-19, from those who think he’s not doing enough to address rising case counts to those who think he’s been overreaching. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum speaks in a Zoom meeting on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Screen capture)

CPH at capacity as cases rise statewide

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 563 new COVID-19 cases on Monday.

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum speaks in a Zoom meeting on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Screen capture)
Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Perks of shopping local

Program encouraging local spending goes live

Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves new round of CARES grants

Money will go to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, Central Peninsula Hospital and Freedom House

Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Risk levels

Risk levels: Nov. 16

All students at 34 peninsula schools are operating 100% remotely through at least Nov. 25.

Risk levels
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Citing virus, Soldotna adjusts operations

The changes are effective as of 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Image via Kenai Peninsula School District

KPBSD says all students will learn remotely at 34 schools

Pre-K, Kindergarten and special education intensive needs students were allowed to attend school in-person on Friday but will start remote learning on Monday.

Image via Kenai Peninsula School District
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai announces closures, limited operations due to COVID-19

The city is closingseveral facilities in response to growing COVID-19 case counts.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Risk levels
This graphic shows the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District risk levels associated with different numbers of new COVID-19 cases. (Image courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

Remote learning extended for 34 KPBSD schools

34 schools will continue 100% remote learning through at least Nov. 25.

Risk levels
This graphic shows the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District risk levels associated with different numbers of new COVID-19 cases. (Image courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)
In this Aug. 26, 2020, photo, U.S. Rep. Don Young, an Alaska Republican, speaks during a ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska, celebrating the opening of a Lady Justice Task Force cold case office which will specialize in cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous women. Young announced Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, on Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Young tests positive for COVID-19

The diagnosis came after Young initially downplayed the seriousness of the virus at the onset.

In this Aug. 26, 2020, photo, U.S. Rep. Don Young, an Alaska Republican, speaks during a ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska, celebrating the opening of a Lady Justice Task Force cold case office which will specialize in cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous women. Young announced Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, on Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Emergency room technician Angie Sulley, left, and nurse Marcie Duncan put on the personal protective equipment necessary for interacting with patients suspected of having COVID-19 in the ambulance bay outside of the emergency department at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital near bed capacity

As of Thursday morning, there were 36 medical/surgical beds in use and seven ICU beds in use.

Emergency room technician Angie Sulley, left, and nurse Marcie Duncan put on the personal protective equipment necessary for interacting with patients suspected of having COVID-19 in the ambulance bay outside of the emergency department at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)