CDC raises peninsula COVID-19 alert level to high

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the alert level to red or high for the Kenai Peninsula Borough this week. 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 slightly, as did the number of positive COVID-19 cases for the week of July 19-26, according to an email from SPH Public Information Officer Derotha Ferraro. The positivity rate remained the same at 16%. Three patients were admitted with COVID-19, up from one last week, and there were 16 emergency room visits of people who tested positive.

Free COVID-19 testing ended July 1 at SPH’s Bartlett Street Testing and Vaccine Clinic, and weekend hours ended. 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. Hours are now 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Vaccines are by appointment.

Statewide, 2,326 Alaskans tested positive for the period of July 13-19, and 1,489 nonresidents tested positive. Fourteen nonresidents tested positive in Homer, one in Kenai Peninsula South and 24 in Soldotna, all with purpose under investigation. In Kenai, 11 nonresidents tested positive, all tourism related. At sea, 1,021 nonresidents tested positive with the purpose of “tourism” — that is, cruise ships. Two at sea nonresidents tested positive with purpose under investigation.

That brings the total to 269,068 residents and 16,431 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.

Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are available for individuals ages five and over, and boosters are offered to eligible groups as recommended by the 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. Vaccines for other groups are offered by appointment on Thursday and Friday at the SPH Bartlett Street clinic.

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 Alaska death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic remains 1,275 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 CDC’s guidance, visit www.sphosp.org.

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 20-27:

Alert level: High (KPB)

New total tests: 321 (tested through South Peninsula Hospital)

New positive tests: 51

Test positivity rate: 16%

New COVID-related Emergency Room visits: 16

New COVID hospitalizations: 3

Vaccinations: 37

Monoclonal antibody infusions: 4

Southern Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, July 20-27): 307 per 100,000 or 43 actual; high alert level

Central Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, July 20-27): 326 per 100,000 or 121 actual; high alert level

Eastern Kenai Peninsula cases (7-day rate, July 20-27): 98 per 100,000 or 5 actual; substantial alert level

New peninsula deaths: 0

Cumulative deaths: 28 residents (13 in Homer, 10 in Anchor Point, five in Kenai Peninsula South)

State numbers, July 20

Alert level: High, 319.11 per 100,000

New cases: 2,488 residents and 961 nonresidents

Kenai Peninsula cases (July 20-27): Homer, 26; Kenai, 50; Soldotna, 48; Seward, 5; Anchor Point, 6; Nikiski, 7; Kenai Peninsula South, 8; Kenai Peninsula North, 11; Sterling, 5; Fritz Creek, 3.

Cumulative cases: 269,068 residents and 16,431 nonresidents

Current hospitalizations: 85 confirmed positive

Patients on ventilators: 0

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.

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).