Coronavirus

HEA rates hike goes into effect

Residents facing financial hardships due to the pandemic will not see their electricity shut off.

(File photo)

Seward to offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing

The testing will only be available for those who already have a medical referral.

(File photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks while Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, looks on via a video feed at a press conference on March 30, 2020 in that Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Federal delegates talk aid, equipment for Alaska amid coronavirus spread

Alaska’s total COVID-19 case count rose to 119 on Monday

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks while Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, looks on via a video feed at a press conference on March 30, 2020 in that Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
COVID-19 Image Credit: CDC

Another Alaskan dies of COVID-19

The latest death is a 73-year-old Anchorage resident.

COVID-19 Image Credit: CDC
Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Two new cases on peninsula

Public health officials investigating contacts.

Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Second Homer resident tests positive for COVID-19

This is Homer’s first case within the city; state total climbs to 102

Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A sign on the door of Kenai Grace Brethren Church indicating that in-person Sunday gatherings have been postponed is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on March 28, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Finding your faith while keeping your distance

Local churches adapt to state mandates limiting physical congregations

A sign on the door of Kenai Grace Brethren Church indicating that in-person Sunday gatherings have been postponed is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on March 28, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside of the Kenai Cinema and Extreme Fun Center can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on March 28, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Survey: business owners lose revenue, fear closure

The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District releases results of a survey of 721 businesses.

The sign outside of the Kenai Cinema and Extreme Fun Center can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on March 28, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage hospital reports first coronavirus death within Alaska

Anchorage hospital reports first coronavirus death within Alaska

Alaska Native Medical Center announced the death Friday afternoon

Anchorage hospital reports first coronavirus death within Alaska
Photo courtesy Office of the Governor Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference Thursday in the Atwood Building in Anchorage.

State COVID-19 cases climb by 10

This brings the total number of illnesses caused by the novel coronavirus in Alaska to 69.

Photo courtesy Office of the Governor Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference Thursday in the Atwood Building in Anchorage.
Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News Christine Hohf, wearing a unicorn costume, and Andi Correa, wearing a dinosaur costume, walk through South Addition in Anchorage on Wednesday. Hohf, who works as a scrub tech at a surgery center, said her hours were cut due to elective surgeries being put off because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Alaska’s jobless claims jump

Claims filed during the latest weekly reporting period totaled 7,806, up from 1,120 the week prior.

Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News Christine Hohf, wearing a unicorn costume, and Andi Correa, wearing a dinosaur costume, walk through South Addition in Anchorage on Wednesday. Hohf, who works as a scrub tech at a surgery center, said her hours were cut due to elective surgeries being put off because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting Jan. 8, 2019.

Borough budget to take hit

Borough could experience a 30-60% “negative impact” in sales tax revenue due to the global pandemic.

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting Jan. 8, 2019.
Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH to accept homemade face masks

There is a shortage of personal protective equipment for health professionals.

Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Firefighter Jason Tauriainen demonstrates the additional personal protective equipment that first responders are wearing on calls in Nikiski, Alaska in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough)

First responders gear up for virus

“It’s hard to arrest someone when you’re 6 feet away from them.”

Nikiski Firefighter Jason Tauriainen demonstrates the additional personal protective equipment that first responders are wearing on calls in Nikiski, Alaska in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough)
Alaska senators break down relief package

Alaska senators break down relief package

That bill advances to the House of Representatives and is expected to pass.

Alaska senators break down relief package
From left: DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink participate in a press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. (Photo courtesy Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

State talks containment, treatment for COVID-19

Total number of COVID-19 cases rises to 59

From left: DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink participate in a press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. (Photo courtesy Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File A cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2017.

Seattle cruise operations postponed indefinitely

This follows the closing of Vancouver to cruise ships.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File A cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2017.
The Central Peninsula Hospital issued new restrictions to the public to help limit exposure to patients and staff, on Tuesday, March, 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula health care providers prep for COVID-19

As of Wednesday at 5 p.m., there were five positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed on the peninsula.

The Central Peninsula Hospital issued new restrictions to the public to help limit exposure to patients and staff, on Tuesday, March, 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Brenna McCarron, a Homer High School graduate stuck in Peru after the country closed its borders to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, stands at Machu Picchu, Peru. She is one of about 19 Alaskans stranded in the country. (Photo courtesy Brenna McCarron)

Playing the waiting game in Peru

Homer High grad one of 19 Alaskans stranded when Peru closed its borders due to coronavirus

Brenna McCarron, a Homer High School graduate stuck in Peru after the country closed its borders to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, stands at Machu Picchu, Peru. She is one of about 19 Alaskans stranded in the country. (Photo courtesy Brenna McCarron)
No cruises till July at the earliest mean these tourist-targeted shops downtown will likely remain shuttered for months longer, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau asked to hunker down as second case confirmed

Juneau is steeling itself against a coming storm.

No cruises till July at the earliest mean these tourist-targeted shops downtown will likely remain shuttered for months longer, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)