Public Health

”Miss Rosey,” a pink fire engine dedicated to raising awareness about cancer prevention and screening, is seen after her unveiling at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Early detection saves lives’

CES fire engine made pink to raise awareness of cancer, screenings

 

Central Peninsula Hospital Chief Executive Officer Shaun Keef speaks to the Soldotna City Council during their meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital up year-over-year in visits, births, procedures

The statistics come from a review of CPH’s operations last fiscal year

 

Department of Health logo. (Graphic)

State Department of Health warns of pertussis spike

Infants are at the highest risk for severe disease, with about one-third requiring hospitalization.

 

Drummers perform during a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenaitze tribe celebrates 10 years of ‘far-fetched dream’ at wellness center

Community members recognized the work done at the Dena’ina Wellness Center over the past decade

Drummers perform during a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Blood Bank of Alaska’s new Kenai Peninsula center is seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Blood Bank relaunches permanent center on Kenai Peninsula

The new location joins others in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Wasilla

The Blood Bank of Alaska’s new Kenai Peninsula center is seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cheri Smith, executive director of The LeeShore Center, speaks about the center’s work and services at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

LeeShore Center shares stats on domestic violence, gives update on community efforts

The agency aims to “promote healthy families in a violence-free community while providing a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault”

Cheri Smith, executive director of The LeeShore Center, speaks about the center’s work and services at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly adds 3 recipients to opioid grant awards

The grant program was created to distribute funds received by the borough through three nationwide settlement agreements

Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital to host Cancer Survivor’s Day event

The event will take place Sunday, June 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign for Peninsula Community Health Services stands outside their facility in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

PCHS to pursue Nikiski expansion, moves to meet other community needs

PCHS is a private, nonprofit organization that provides access to health care to anyone in the community

A sign for Peninsula Community Health Services stands outside their facility in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Nikiski Senior Center stands under sunlight in Nikiski, Alaska, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Support available for community caregivers

Nikiski Senior Center hosts relaunched Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program

The Nikiski Senior Center stands under sunlight in Nikiski, Alaska, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Peninsula COVID rate sharply drops

The snapshot was updated Thursday, Feb. 29, to include data through Feb. 24

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Snow falls atop the Central Peninsula Diabetes Center in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. The office opened in October, but a grand opening was held this week. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital adds Diabetes Center

The center has been seeing patients since October and held a grand opening Monday

Snow falls atop the Central Peninsula Diabetes Center in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. The office opened in October, but a grand opening was held this week. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Kenai Peninsula COVID-19 case rate continues to climb

State reports three consecutive week-over-week increases to new high

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula resident dies of Alaskapox, 1st documented fatal case

Seven total infections of Alaskapox have been reported to the State’s Section of Epidemiology

Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Peninsula COVID case rates still elevated

Starting in December, several areas of the state saw significant spikes in COVID activity

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Volunteers sit at rows of tables or in curtained off booths during Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers sit at rows of tables or in curtained off booths during Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Kenai Peninsula sees sharp rise in COVID-19 activity

Weekly cases of COVID-19 by region are reported via the department’s Respiratory Virus Snapshot

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Mersha Tamrat, right, gives free haircuts to attendees at the 13th Annual Project Homeless Connect at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Helping with ‘the step up’

Project Homeless Connect returns for 13th year in Soldotna

Mersha Tamrat, right, gives free haircuts to attendees at the 13th Annual Project Homeless Connect at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

COVID activity declines statewide for 2nd week

Cases of COVID-19 had surged upward, statewide, beginning in December

Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers sit at rows of tables or in curtained off booths during Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Project Homeless Connect set for Tuesday

The one-day event is intended to provide a place where all area service providers come together to provide referrals, information or services

Volunteers sit at rows of tables or in curtained off booths during Project Homeless Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)