Coronavirus

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

New COVID cases continue downward trend

Alaska remained at a high COVID transmission alert level Monday.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Demonstrators gather outside of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and advocate for alternative treatments on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Competing demonstrations held outside Central Peninsula Hospital

Two different demonstrations — one to show support for hospital workers and one calling for alternative COVID-19 treatments — took place outside the hospital.

Demonstrators gather outside of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and advocate for alternative treatments on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

‘It takes active work from Alaskans’

As cases trend downward, health officials encourage vaccines, boosters.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

2 new COVID deaths reported as cases decline

The deaths pushed the total number of statewide deaths to 812 since the pandemic began.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Alaska Voices: Vaccination is the still best protection from COVID-19

The Alaska State Medical Association encourages you to protect yourselves and your community from preventable illness by getting recommended vaccines.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Statewide COVID cases continue to drop; 7 new deaths

The state has an estimated rolling average of 381.9 cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough looks to tap rescue funds for projects

About $3.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act was allocated for “pay-go” infrastructure projects.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH sees fewer COVID patients as statewide cases recede

On Monday, there were only 37 total inpatients with fewer than 11 COVID patients.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases, hospitalizations down from last week

Alaska still holds the spot for the most COVID cases per capita in the country.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna seeks to create mobile recreation unit

The unit would be funded with roughly $50,000 in grant funds.

Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID deaths rise above 800

Central Peninsula Hospital had fewer than 11 COVID hospitalizations and was operating at 86% capacity.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Dr. Tom Hennessy, MD, MPH (Courtesy)

Voices of the Peninsula: Don’t take medical advice from politicians, athletes or social media

Evidence leads to consensus among medical doctors: Vaccines are the best way to prevent infection.

Dr. Tom Hennessy, MD, MPH (Courtesy)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

28 deaths added to statewide COVID-19 count

The deaths were reported after death certificate review from August through October, with most of the deaths occurring in October.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Federal vaccine mandate looms for CPH employees

The mandate applies to all CPH properties, which includes the hospital, adjoining clinic and Heritage Place.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Protesters demonstrate outside of Central Peninsula Hospital on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. The group was advocating for the use of ivermectin as a treatment option for a COVID-19 patient hospitalized at CPH. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Protesters gather at CPH, seeking ivermectin treatment for patient

The CPH director of external affairs said the hospital does not treat COVID-19 with ivermectin because it has not been approved by the FDA for that purpose.

Protesters demonstrate outside of Central Peninsula Hospital on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. The group was advocating for the use of ivermectin as a treatment option for a COVID-19 patient hospitalized at CPH. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases dropping but state still in the red zone

The DHSS reported on Friday 870 new COVID cases across the state.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to include kids ages 5 to 11 this week. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids get the shot

Peninsula begins vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds for COVID-19 following CDC approval earlier this week.

Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to include kids ages 5 to 11 this week. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion
Nurse Linda Price gives Jim Blanning his Moderna COVID-19 booster shot at the “Y” intersection vaccine clinic on Thursday.

Vaccine clinic looks to expand as demand grows

The clinic, currently open between 4 and 8 p.m., has operated since May at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways in Soldotna.

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion
Nurse Linda Price gives Jim Blanning his Moderna COVID-19 booster shot at the “Y” intersection vaccine clinic on Thursday.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

3 new deaths, 655 new cases statewide

At Central Peninsula Hospital there were 19 COVID patients on Thursday morning — 18 of them unvaccinated.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)