An Anchor Point man in his 80s was reported to have died of COVID-19, according to an Alaska Department of Health and Social Services daily summary for Aug. 25. DHSS also announced the death of a Soldotna man in his 40s and a nonresident woman in her 70s who died in Soldotna. The deaths were determined through death certificate reviews.
According to the latest DHSS summary on Tuesday for the reporting period of Monday, 431 Alaskans have now been reported dead of COVID-19.
Most areas of Alaska are in a high alert level, defined as more than 100 cases per 100,000 people. The statewide alert level now stands at high, with 479.1 positive cases per 100,000 people for the past seven days. Statewide, 84,597 Alaskans have tested positive for COVID-19. As of Tuesday, 152 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were hospitalized, with four under suspicion of having COVID-19. Nineteen patients are on ventilators.
The COVID-19 deaths were reported as the southern Kenai Peninsula continues to see positive COVID-19 cases. However, the case count has dropped, with 120 reported on the South Peninsula Hospital’s dashboard for the period of Aug. 25 through Aug. 30. Homer had 95 cases, Anchor Point had 14 and the Kenai Peninsula Borough-South had 11. In an encouraging sign, from Aug. 28-31, 26 positive cases were reported — fewer cases in four days than a peak of 41 on Aug. 25.
South Peninsula Hospital continues to report COVID-19 activity. On its dashboard, for the week of Aug. 25-31 there were 12 visits to the emergency department for COVID-19, four new hospitalizations, 22 outpatient monoclonal antibody infusions done and 1039vaccines given. The test positivity rate remained at 10%.
Testing locations
Officials encourage anyone with symptoms to test for COVID-19, despite vaccination status.
Testing is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the SPH COVID-19 clinic on Bartlett Street for people with symptoms, traveling, for pre-procedure screening and for exposure six days after exposure of after being at social gatherings.
SVT Health & Wellness offers testing to anyone 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
South Peninsula Hospital continues to offer walk-in vaccines daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4201 Bartlett Street, and by appointment at www.sphosp.org.
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 at Homer Medical Center, call 235-8586
To make appointments at the South Peninsula Family Care Clinic, call 235-0900. The Moderna, Pfizer and Janssen vaccines are offered.
People who are immunocompromised can now get a third dose by either a provider’s referral or by submitting an attestation form.
People qualify for the third dose if they are receiving active cancer treatment, if they received an organ transplant and take medicine to suppress the immune system, if they have received a stem cell transplant within the last two years and take medicine to suppress the immune system, if they have a moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency, if thay have an advanced or untreated HIV condition, or if they take high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress the immune response.
Safeway – Homer, 90 Sterling Highway, offers clinics 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday by appointment or walk-ins. Call 226-1060 for appointments. The Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines are offered.
Kachemak Medical Group, 4129 Bartlett Street, offers vaccines by appointment. Call 235-7000.
Ulmer’s Pharmacy, 3858 Lake Street, offers Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines by appointment of walk-ins. Call 235-7760.
Ninilchik Clinic, 15765 Kingsley Road, Ninilchik offers Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines by appointment and Pfizer on demand. Call 907-567-3970.
SVT Health & Wellness offers Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and Moderna vaccines 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.
