The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alert level for the Kenai Peninsula Borough remains at high or red. At this level, CDC recommends people stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms. People should wear face masks indoors, and people at high risk for severe illness should talk to their health care providers about taking additional precautions.
The CDC 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.
The number of total tests done at South Peninsula Hospital dropped again, but the number of positive COVID-19 cases jumped for the week of July 27-Aug. 2, according to an email from SPH Executive Assistant Maura Jones of the hospital public information team. The positivity rate also increased to 22% and the number of monoclonal antibody infusions doubled — indications that COVID-19 cases have risen.
Two patients were admitted with COVID-19, and there were 21 emergency room visits of people who tested positive, also an increase over last week. Test numbers reflect only those done through the SPH clinic or at the hospital. Because many people now get results from home test kits, the number of tests done may be undercounted.
Going into the start of the school year on Aug. 16, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has quit reporting regional alert levels, daily and 7-day case numbers by city, and positive cases by school. Previously that information had been available on the KPBSD COVID-19 dashboard, but that link now goes to a new page that does not include that information. Its “Resident Coronavirus Cases On The Kenai Peninsula” chart links back to the new dashboard without that information.
Statewide, 2,035 Alaskans tested positive for the period of July 20-26, and 911 nonresidents tested positive.
That brings the total to 271,101 residents and 17,366 nonresidents who have tested positive for 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.
The Alaska death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic remains at 1,275 resident deaths.
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, July 28-Aug. 2:
Alert level: High, 324.1 (State of Alaska)
New total tests: 292 (tested through South Peninsula Hospital)
New positive tests: 63
Test positivity rate: 22%
New COVID-related Emergency Room visits: 21
New COVID hospitalizations: 2
Vaccinations: 28
Monoclonal antibody infusions: 8
New peninsula deaths: 0
Cumulative deaths: 28 residents (13 in Homer, 10 in Anchor Point, five in Kenai Peninsula South)
State numbers, July 27
State Alert level: High, 279.91 per 100,000
New cases: 2,035 residents and 911 nonresidents
Kenai Peninsula resident cases (July 20-26): Anchor Point, 6; Fritz Creek, 3; Homer, 26; Kenai, 50; Kenai Peninsula South, 8; Kenai Peninsula North, 11; Nikiski, 7; Seward, 5; Soldotna, 48; Sterling, 5.
Kenai Peninsula nonresident cases (July 20-26): Homer, 13; Kenai, 12; Kenai Peninsula North, 3; Seward, 8; Soldotna, 17.
Cumulative cases: 271,101 residents and 17,366 nonresidents
Current hospitalizations: 83 confirmed positive
Patients on ventilators: 1
Hospitalization rate: 6.3%
State cumulative deaths: 1,275 residents, 33 nonresidents
Vaccination information: 71.9% of Alaska’s eligible population has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 29.5% of eligible Alaskans have received at least their first booster dose.
Testing locations
Officials encourage anyone with symptoms to test for COVID-19, despite vaccination status.
The South Peninsula Hospital’s COVID-19 Test and Vaccine Clinic at 4201 Bartlett Street is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 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.
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. The SPH COVID-19 Test and Vaccine Clinic at 4201 Bartlett Street is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 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).
