While the number of positive COVID-19 cases dropped slightly at South Peninsula Hospital, the emergency room saw an almost five-hold increase in visits of people positive with the coronovirus. Visits jumped to 23 for the week of June 22-28 compared to five visits last week, according to an email from SPH Public Information Officer Derotha Ferraro. That’s out of 138 ER visits. Two patients were admitted with COVID-19.
However, some of those positive cases were for patients visiting the ER with other issues that tested positive as part of routine COVID-19 screening.
Statewide, hospitals are being stressed by admissions, Public Health Nurse Lorne Carroll told the Homer City Council in the COVID-19 briefing. In a chart he showed from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services dashboard, the Alaska Native Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital and Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage had no room in their adult Intensive Care Units.
SPH South Peninsula Hospital recorded 83 positive cases at its facilities last week, down from 93, but had a slight increase in the percentage of positive cases, up 20% from 19% last week. The other Kenai Peninsula south communities in census districts of less than 1,000 people had 27 positive cases last week, a jump from eight the week before.
For another week, no new COVID-19 deaths were reported, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services in its report from last Wednesday, June 22.
As of Friday, free COVID-19 testing ends at SPH’s Bartlett Street Testing and Vaccine Clinic, and weekend hours end. Patients with insurance will be billed, and under federal law, insurance companies have to pay the full cost of testing. Patients without insurance pay a $50 fee. Starting Friday, hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention risk level for the Kenai Peninsula Borough remains at medium or yellow.
Statewide, 2,123 Alaskans tested positive for the period of June 15-21 and 893 nonresidents tested positive, an increase over last week. Ten nonresidents tested positive in Homer, with purpose under investigation. At sea, 441 nonresidents tested positive, with the purpose of “tourism” — that is, cruise ships. Two nonresidents with purpose under investigation also tested positive at sea.
That brings the total to 259,390 residents and 11,718 nonresidents. About 35% of Alaska’s population has now been infected with COVID-19.
Testing is recommended for individuals experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms, for those with known exposure to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, for travel requirements, with a provider referral and in advance of medical appointments. In addition to the PCR testing offered at the hospital’s walk-up clinic, free home-test kits are available at the hospital’s main entrance 24/7, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and for purchase at numerous local retailers.
Effective July 1, vaccines will be offered on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment only. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are available for individuals ages five and over, and boosters are offered to eligible groups as recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and as made available by FDA under emergency use authorizations. Vaccines for children under age 5 have now been approved, but SPH recommends children in that age range get vaccinated through medical clinics.
In addition to the stand-alone clinic on Bartlett Street, both COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are offered by appointment at Homer Medical Center and the hospital’s Family Care Clinic. For more information on SPH COVID-19 services and care, visit www.sphosp.org and click on the covid tab, or call 907-235-0235.
The positivity rate increased slightly, according to the SPH report, with 480 new tests done, of which 93 were positive, a 19% positivity rate, up from last week’s 18% positivity rate.
The Alaska death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic remains at 1,252 resident deaths.
The hospital’s Bartlett Street Vaccine and Testing Clinic offers second boosters of mRNA vaccines to adults age 50 or older, people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, or people who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for their first shot and booster. People should talk to their health-care providers for advice on if and when they should get the second booster. For full information on eligibility and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance, visit www.sphosp.org. Vaccines and second boosters are offered on Sundays and Mondays. Because of the increased demand for second boosters, appointments are strongly encouraged.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html#anchor_82254 shows the risk levels by county using metrics like numbers of people hospitalized and staffing levels. According to that link, the Kenai Peninsula Borough remains in the medium-risk or yellow category. At this level, CDC recommends people stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms. People may choose to wear facemasks at any time, and people at high risk for severe illness should talk to healthcare providers about if they need to wear a mask or take other precautions.
DHSS encourages Alaskans to get vaccinated and to get booster shots, noting that it is the single most important action that can be taken to protect yourself and your community.
Southern Kenai Peninsula numbers, June 22-28:
Alert level: High (KPB)
New total tests: 424 (tested through South Peninsula Hospital)
New positive tests: 83
Test positivity rate: 20%
New COVID-related Emergency Room visits: 23
New COVID hospitalizations: 2
Vaccinations: 36
Southern Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, June 22-28): 685 per 100,000 or 96 actual; high alert level
Central Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, June 22-28): 221 per 100,000 or 82 actual; high alert level
Eastern Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, June 22-28): 274 per 100,000 or 14 actual; high alert level
New peninsula deaths: 0
Cumulative deaths: 27 residents (12 in Homer, 10 in Anchor Point, five in Kenai Peninsula South)
State numbers, June 15
Alert level: High, 291.26 per 100,000
New cases: 259,390 residents and 11,718 non residents
Kenai Peninsula cases (June 22-28): Homer, 64; Kenai, 28; Soldotna, 35; Seward, 14; Anchor Point, 3; Nikiski, 2; Kenai Peninsula South, 27; Kenai Peninsula North, 8; Sterling, 9; Fritz Creek, 2.
Cumulative cases: 257,263 residents and 10,824 nonresidents
Current hospitalizations: 57 confirmed positive
Patients on ventilators: 0
Hospitalization rate: 4.7%
State cumulative deaths: 1,252 residents, 33 nonresidents
Vaccination information: 72.5% of Alaska’s eligible population has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 65.4% of eligible Alaskans have completed a full vaccination series.
Testing locations
Officials encourage anyone with symptoms to test for COVID-19, despite vaccination status.
Through June 30, the SPH COVID-19 testing clinic is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at its Bartlett Street site. Testing is recommended for individuals experiencing COVID-like symptoms, for those with known exposure to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, for travel requirements, with a provider referral and in advance of medical appointments. In addition to the PCR testing offered at the hospital’s walk-up clinic, free home-test kits are available at the hospital’s main entrance 24/7, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and for purchase at numerous local retailers.
Effective July 1, the hours of operation at South Peninsula Hospital’s COVID-19 Test and Vaccine Clinic at 4201 Bartlett Street will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends.
PCR COVID-19 testing will be offered at the walk-up clinic, no appointment necessary. Effective July 1, insurance will be billed for testing. Those uninsured or not using insurance will be charged $50, and can pay at time of service or be billed. Test results will be provided on South Peninsula Hospital’s electronic health portal, and are normally available within 24 hours.
In addition to the stand-alone clinic on Bartlett Street, both COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are offered by appointment at Homer Medical Center and the hospital’s Family Care Clinic. For more information on SPH COVID-19 services and care, visit www.sphosp.org and click on the Covid tab, or call 907-235-0235.
SVT Health & Wellness offers testing at its three SVT Health & Wellness locations: 880 East End Road, Homer (226-2228); 72351 Milo Fritz Ave., Anchor Point (226-2238), and 206 Main Street, Seldovia (907-435-3262).
Where to get vaccinated
Following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are available for individuals ages five and over, and boosters are offered to eligible groups as recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and as made available by FDA under emergency use authorizations.
Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be given 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and Mondays through June 30. Because of increased demand, appointments are recommended. Effective July 1, the hours of operation at South Peninsula Hospital’s COVID-19 Test and Vaccine Clinic at 4201 Bartlett Street will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends. Vaccines will be offered by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays.
Vaccines also are offered by appointment at Homer Medical Clinic and the SPH Family Care Clinic. For more information at the Bartlett Street clinic, talk to your doctor or call 235-0235 for additional information. To make appointments, call 235-8586.
To make appointments at the South Peninsula Family Care Clinic, call 235-0900. The Moderna, Pfizer and Janssen vaccines are offered.
Safeway – Homer, 90 Sterling Highway, offers clinics Monday-Friday by appointment or walk-ins. Call 226-1060 for appointments. The Moderna vaccine is available Monday-Friday by walk-in or appointment. The Pfizer vaccine is available daily for ages 12 and older by walk-in or appointment.
Ninilchik Clinic, 15765 Kingsley Road, Ninilchik offers Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment. Call 907-567-3970.
SVT Health & Wellness offers Moderna and Pfizer by appointment for established medical patients of the three SVT Health & Wellness locations: 880 East End Road, Homer (226-2228); 72351 Milo Fritz Ave., Anchor Point (226-2238), and 206 Main Street, Seldovia (907-435-3262).
