Coronavirus

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State addresses COVID-19 case data backlog

More than 1,600 positive cases were reported late by new commercial lab in Anchorage

 

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

44 new positive cases reported for Homer on Thursday

DHSS: four additional deaths tied to COVID-19

 

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 13 additional deaths tied to COVID-19

Coronavirus activity is up at South Peninsula Hospital

 

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State COVID officials brief Soldotna City Council in work session

The council was joined by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink and State Testing Coordinator Dr. Coleman Cutchins

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
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DHSS encourages COVID-positive Alaskans to do their own contact tracing

In a Monday release, DHSS said that surging COVID-19 cases are creating a data backlog

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Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

Deadlines approaching for city economic relief grants

Application deadline extended for rent, mortgage relief program

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
In this undated photo issued by the University of Oxford, a volunteer is administered the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday Nov. 23, 2020, that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals. (University of Oxford/John Cairns via AP)

State health officials: Vaccine could arrive next month

Vulnerable populations are first.

In this undated photo issued by the University of Oxford, a volunteer is administered the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, in Oxford, England. Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday Nov. 23, 2020, that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals. (University of Oxford/John Cairns via AP)
AP Photo / Mark Thiessen Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in Anchorage in March. Dunleavy faces criticism for his handling of COVID-19, from those who think he’s not doing enough to address rising case counts to those who think he’s been overreaching.

Governor defends virus approach amid criticism

He faces criticism from across the political spectrum for his handling of COVID-19.

AP Photo / Mark Thiessen Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in Anchorage in March. Dunleavy faces criticism for his handling of COVID-19, from those who think he’s not doing enough to address rising case counts to those who think he’s been overreaching.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

551 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday

Alaska reached its 100th death due to pandemic this week

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Registered Nurse Annie Garay puts the finishing touches on South Peninsula Hospital’s new COVID-19 testing site, located at the lower level of the hospital’s specialty clinic at 4201 Bartlett Street, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. It’s a self-swab site where people register at one window, and collect a swab kit from a nurse at another window. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Three local establishments temporarily close due to COVID-19 cases

Public Health: Be proactive about coronavirus safety

Registered Nurse Annie Garay puts the finishing touches on South Peninsula Hospital’s new COVID-19 testing site, located at the lower level of the hospital’s specialty clinic at 4201 Bartlett Street, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. It’s a self-swab site where people register at one window, and collect a swab kit from a nurse at another window. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Passengers at the Juneau International Airport make their way past signage notifying the public about the state's travel restrictions on Monday, Nov. 15, 2020. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a new emergency declaration which took effect Monday, which outlined a number of travel guidelines for both in-state and out-of-state travel. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Emergency extended as governor asks for diligence

Most provisions extended

Passengers at the Juneau International Airport make their way past signage notifying the public about the state's travel restrictions on Monday, Nov. 15, 2020. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a new emergency declaration which took effect Monday, which outlined a number of travel guidelines for both in-state and out-of-state travel. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

Commercial fishing, housing relief programs are live

City now accepting applications for additional financial grant programs

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
Homer News file photo Homer High School.

School district extends remote learning status

Remote learning will continue for most schools through Thanksgiving break

Homer News file photo Homer High School.
Homer News file photo Homer High School.

School district risk levels remain high

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has mitigation plans in place for what will happen with in-person education when different regions of the peninsula are… Continue reading

Homer News file photo Homer High School.
Image via Kenai Peninsula School District

School district explores reopening plans

The district launched a parent survey to get feedback on how to best resume on-site learning.

Image via Kenai Peninsula School District
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a virtual town hall meeting on Sept. 15. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor urges Alaskans to change behavior amid rising case counts

He cited virus’ impacts on the military and emergency responders.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a virtual town hall meeting on Sept. 15. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. The state’s emergency declaration for COVID-19 ends Nov. 15, and lawmakers have asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to call a special session to extend it. Dunleavy issued a second emergency declaration Friday but some lawmakers have said that violates state law.

Gov issues 2nd emergency declaration, but lawmakers cry foul

No mask mandate.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. The state’s emergency declaration for COVID-19 ends Nov. 15, and lawmakers have asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to call a special session to extend it. Dunleavy issued a second emergency declaration Friday but some lawmakers have said that violates state law.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 4 new deaths, 66 new cases on Kenai Peninsula

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 493 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday — 486 among Alaska residents and seven nonresident. Sixty-six… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Homer News file photo Homer High School.

School district risk levels remain high

School district COVID-19 risk levels The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has mitigation plans in place for what will happen with in-person education when different… Continue reading

Homer News file photo Homer High School.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State announced 413 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday

42 of the new cases are on peninsula, 2 among Homer residents

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
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