COVID-19 cases up slightly

CDC puts Kenai Peninsula in low or green alert level based on lower hospitalization rates.

By Michael Armstrong • March 16, 2022 2:30 am
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This graph created by South Peninsula Hospital shows the trends in the COVID-19 and omicron wave over the past 12 weeks though March 9 based on data collected through the hospital, with information on percentage of positive cases (brown line), monoclonal antibody infusions (green line), emergency room visits (yellow line) and hospital admissions (orange line). Except for ER visits, there has been a general decline since the week ending March 2. (Graph by South Peninsula Hospital)

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 10 more Alaskans have died of COVID-19, according to last Wednesday’s March 9 release from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

That brings the Alaska death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic to 1,168 resident deaths. DHSS reports deaths every Wednesday following death certificate reviews. According to DHSS spokesperson Clinton Bennett, one death was in October 2021, one was in December 2021, one was in January and seven were in February.

Locally, the positivity rate of tests increased to 9% compared to 3% last week.

For the latest report on March 14 for March 11-13, the state reported 494 new resident COVID-19 cases and 17 nonresident cases.

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 has dropped into the low-risk or green category. At this level, CDC recommends people stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and to get tested if they have symptoms. People may choose to wear facemasks at any time, and people with symptoms, a positive test or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

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, March 9-15:

Alert level: High (DHSS)

New total tests: 364 (tested through South Peninsula Hospital)

New positive tests: 33

Test positivity rate: 9%

New COVID-related Emergency Room visits: 1

New COVID hospitalizations: 0

Monoclonal antibody infusions: 7

Vaccinations: 18

Southern Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, March 9-15): 221 per 100,000 or 31 actual; high alert level

Central Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, March 9-15): 283 per 100,000 or 105 actual; high alert level

Eastern Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, March 9-15): 470 per 100,000 or 24 actual; high alert level

New peninsula deaths: 0

Cumulative deaths: 25 residents (11 in Homer, 10 in Anchor Point, four in Kenai Peninsula South)

Vaccination information: 76.1% of Homer’s population has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 71.1% of eligible residents have completed a full vaccination series. In Anchor Point, 51.4% have received a first dose and 47.6% are fully vaccinated. In the other Kenai Peninsula south, 25.4% have received a first dose and 23% are fully vaccinated.

School cases: Chapman School, 0; Fireweed Academy, 0; Homer Flex School, 0; Homer High School, 0; Homer Middle School, 1; McNeil Canyon, 0; Paul Banks Elementary, 0; West Homer Elementary, 1; small communities (census regions less than 1,000), 5.

State numbers, March 14

Alert level: High, 334.2 per 100,000

New cases: 494 residents, 17 nonresidents

Kenai Peninsula cases (March 9-15): Homer, 19; Kenai, 49; Soldotna, 397; Seward, 24; Anchor Point, 6; Nikiski, 2; Kenai Peninsula South, 6; Kenai Peninsula North, 7; Sterling, 8; Fritz Creek, 0.

Cumulative cases: 236,001 residents and 7,909 nonresidents

Total hospitalizations: 3,686 (no new hospitalizations)

Current hospitalizations: 51 confirmed positive, three suspected positive

Patients on ventilators: 3

Hospitalization rate: 3.7%

State cumulative deaths: 1,158 residents, 33 nonresidents

Vaccination information: 64.7% of Alaska’s eligible population has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 59.4% of eligible Alaskans have completed a full vaccination series.

Testing locations

Officials encourage anyone with symptoms to test for COVID-19, despite vaccination status.

The SPH COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinic is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at its Bartlett Street site. Testing is for people with symptoms, traveling, for pre-procedure screening and for exposure six days after exposure of after being at social gatherings. Test results can be accessed on the SPH patient portal within 24 hours.

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. Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are available for anyone who is six months or more after their initial series of the Pfizer or Moderna series and are age 18 and older or anyone who is at least two months after their Janssen vaccine.

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be given 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and Mondays.

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).

Reach Michael Armstrong at marmstrong@homernews.com.

This graph created by South Peninsula Hospital shows the trends in the COVID-19 and omicron wave over the past 12 weeks though March 9 based on data collected through the hospital, with information on percentage of positive cases (brown line), monoclonal antibody infusions (green line), emergency room visits (yellow line) and hospital admissions (orange line). Except for ER visits, there has been a general decline since the week ending March 2. (Graph by South Peninsula Hospital)
Graph by South Peninsula Hospital This graph created by South Peninsula Hospital shows the trends in the COVID-19 and omicron wave over the past 12 weeks though March 9 based on data collected through the hospital, with information on percentage of positive cases (black line), monoclonal antibody infusions (gray line), emergency room visits (medium gray line) and hospital admissions (light gray line). Except for ER visits, there has been a general decline since the week ending March 2.

Graph by South Peninsula Hospital This graph created by South Peninsula Hospital shows the trends in the COVID-19 and omicron wave over the past 12 weeks though March 9 based on data collected through the hospital, with information on percentage of positive cases (black line), monoclonal antibody infusions (gray line), emergency room visits (medium gray line) and hospital admissions (light gray line). Except for ER visits, there has been a general decline since the week ending March 2.

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