The Department of Health and Social Services reported that 222,000 people in Alaska — 29.7% of the population across all ages — are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to state data updated on Wednesday. Additionally, more than 272,000 people — 36.1% — have received at least one dose.

That’s compared to an estimated 69.6% of Alaskans 65 and older who are fully vaccinated and 74.8% who have received at least one dose.

According to data compiled by NPR, which show a slightly higher rate of vaccination in the state, Alaska now ranks No. 1 in percent of the population fully vaccinated — 30.4%.

In comparison, NPR reports the nationwide average is 22.7%. Georgia comes in at No. 50 with only about 16.4% of its total population vaccinated.

In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 27% of all age groups are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 31.7% have received at least one dose. Over half of peninsula seniors — 60.7%% — are fully vaccinated.

According to statistics updated on Wednesday, there have been 563,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S.

DHSS announced 201 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday evening, bringing the statewide total to 62,876.

Alaska remains at high-alert level, with a 14-day average of 22.91 cases per 100,000 people. The new case count includes 13 on the Kenai Peninsula. Affected peninsula communities include Soldotna with six, Kenai with three, Anchor Point with two and one each in Nikiski and Seward.

Alaska also reported 60 in Anchorage, 51 in Wasilla, 16 in Palmer, 12 in Fairbanks, 11 in Eagle River, 10 in North Pole, four in Juneau, two each in the Bethel Census Area, Chugiak, Delta Junction, Kodiak, Valdez, and Wrangell, and one each in Bristol Bay/Lake and Peninsula, Cordova, the Denali Borough, Ketchikan, the Kusilvak Census Area, Nome and the North Slope Borough.

There were three new hospitalizations reported on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 1,407.

As of Monday, there were 47 total COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska, with six of the patients on ventilators. In Alaska, 4.5% of all current hospitalizations are COVID-related.

Getting vaccinated

There were 60 COVID-19 vaccination appointments available across multiple central peninsula clinics as of Wednesday, according to PrepMod, the online portal through which appointments can be scheduled. PrepMod can be accessed at myhealth.alaska.gov.

These clinics include the Nikiski Senior Center and the Soldotna Professional Pharmacy at the Sterling Community Center and Soldotna Prep School.

A map of vaccine providers can be found on DHSS’ COVID-19 vaccine website at covidvax.alaska.gov. Many providers are using the state’s program to schedule appointments, which can be accessed at myhealth.alaska.gov. Instructions on how to schedule an appointment through alternative entities can be found on the map by clicking the icon of the preferred provider. Appointments at Walmart can be scheduled at walmart.com/covidvaccine.

People who would like assistance with scheduling a vaccination appointment can call the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management call center. The center operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. The central peninsula call center can be reached at 907-262-4636. The Homer call center can be reached at 907-235-4636. The Seward call center can be reached at 907-224-4636.

The City of Kenai is offering transportation to and from vaccine clinics located in Kenai in partnership with CARTS and Alaska Cab. Rides will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis until the budgeted funds run out. In order to participate in the program, people must be going from an address located in Kenai to a clinic in Kenai and will need to provide proof of vaccination.

Testing locations

On the central peninsula, testing is available at Capstone Family Clinic, K-Beach Medical, Soldotna Professional Pharmacy, Central Peninsula Urgent Care, Peninsula Community Health Services, Urgent Care of Soldotna, the Kenai Public Health Center and Odyssey Family Practice. Call Kenai Public Health at 907-335-3400 for information on testing criteria for each location.

In Homer, testing is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the lower level of South Peninsula Hospital’s Specialty Clinic as well as through SVT Health & Wellness clinics in Homer, Seldovia and Anchor Point. Call ahead at the hospital at 907-235-0235 and at the SVT clinics at 907-226-2228. Testing is also available at Homer Public Health Center daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Ninilchik, NTC Community Clinic is providing testing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The testing is only for those traveling, symptomatic, needing testing for medical procedures, or with a known exposure after seven days. Only 20 tests will be offered per day. To make an appointment to be tested at the NTC Community Clinic, call 907-567-3970.

In Seward, testing is available at Providence Seward, Seward Community Health Center, Glacier Family Medicine and North Star Health Clinic.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.