Kenai Peninsula residents who are not at high risk for severe COVID-related illness can ditch masks in public settings, according to new guidance announced Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC now uses several different metrics — such as hospital beds occupied, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area — to determine a “COVID-19 community level.” In its Friday guidelines, the CDC described community levels as being a “new tool” to help decide COVID prevention steps.

The CDC advises masks in counties where the COVID community level is “high.” The peninsula’s COVID-19 community level was considered to be “medium” as of Saturday.

At medium risk level, the CDC recommends that individuals at high risk for severe illness talk to their health care provider about whether they need to wear a mask and take other precautions. Places with low, medium and high community levels are encouraged to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines; residents should get tested if symptoms develop.

As reported by the Associated Press, the new map puts more than 70% of the population of the United States in places where COVID-19 poses a low or medium risk. Mask requirements put on public transportation and in airports, train stations and bus stations remain in place, as are mandates implemented by municipalities and institutions, the AP reported.

According to the CDC’s “COVID-19 Community Levels by County” map, only one region of Alaska — the Ketchikan Gateway Borough — had a high COVID community level. Most regions had a medium community level with some at low community level.

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink took to Twitter to celebrate the new guidelines and said DHSS is currently reviewing the new guidelines and will have more information for the public soon.

“2022 is a very different place when it come to COVID-19 than where we were in 2021 or 2020,” Zink tweeted Friday. “It is great to see @CDCgov change their guidance as this pandemic involves many more people have protection from severe disease either from vaccination or past infection.”

The updated guidance came as the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 854 new COVID-19 cases that were reported in the state from Wednesday to Thursday. The new cases include 64 resident cases reported in Soldotna, 34 resident cases reported in Kenai, 22 reported in Homer, eight in Seward, eight in Sterling, five in two Kenai Peninsula Borough North communities, five in two Kenai Peninsula Borough South communities and three in Nikiski. An additional nonresident case was also reported in Seward.

As of Friday, 64.5% of Alaskans age 5 and older had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That is compared to 59.1% of Alaskans age 5 and older who have been fully vaccinated.

The Kenai Peninsula continues to lag behind other areas of the state for the number of residents vaccinated. As of Friday, less than one half eligible peninsula residents — 48.9% — were fully vaccinated. The Matanuska-Susitna region is the only region with a lower rate, at 41.7%.

Getting a vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines do not cost money.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for everyone 5 years and older, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines are approved for anyone 18 and older. Moderna’s vaccine also got fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration for those 18 and older last month, and Pfizer’s vaccine got full FDA authorization for people 16 and older last August.

In addition to a primary series — two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine — experts are strongly encouraging booster shots to protect against omicron.

The FDA and CDC are recommending Pfizer boosters for anyone 12 and older at least five months after the primary series. Additionally, Moderna boosters are recommended for anyone 18 and older at least six months after a primary series.

Janssen boosters are approved for anyone 18 and older at least two months after initial vaccination, although state health officials say the Janssen shot isn’t the preferred vaccine because of risks of blood clotting and less robust protection against COVID. The state recommends people with a primary Janssen vaccine to get either a Pfizer or Moderna booster.

Many organizations on the central peninsula — including Walmart, Walgreens, the Kenai Fire Department and Kenai Public Health — offer vaccines.

Additionally, Soldotna Professional Pharmacy hosts a walk-in clinic in its strip mall storefront at the “Y” intersection of the Sterling and Kenai Spur highways. The clinic is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Vaccination appointments can also be scheduled through the online portal PrepMod, which can be accessed at myhealth.alaska.gov.

A map of vaccine providers can be found on DHSS’ COVID-19 vaccine website at covidvax.alaska.gov.

People who would like assistance 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.

Testing locations

Officials encourage anyone with symptoms to test for COVID-19, despite vaccination status.

In Kenai, testing is available at Odyssey Family Practice, Kenai Public Health Center and Capstone Clinic. At-home test kits are also available for free at Kenai Public Health.

In Soldotna, testing is available at the Peninsula Community Health Center, Urgent Care of Soldotna, Walgreens and Soldotna Professional Pharmacy.

In Homer, testing is available at South Peninsula Hospital, or through other area health care providers at Seldovia Village Tribe Health and Wellness, Kachemak Medical Group and Homer Medical Center. In addition, Capstone Clinic in Homer will be offering drive-thru tests Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday. Register with the COVID Secure App before arriving.

In Seward, testing is available at Providence Medical Center, Chugachmiut-North Star Health Clinic, Glacier Family Medicine, Seward Community Health Center and the Safeway pharmacy.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.