The state Department of Health and Social Services reported a total of 511 new COVID-19 cases from Friday through Sunday, a slight bump from a week ago.

On March 7, there were 463 new cases reported over the preceding weekend.

The cases, which on average are still trending downward state and nationwide, have been caused by the dominant omicron variant of the virus, and even some by its new subvariant forms.

According to state health officials, one of the strains, BA.2, is not much different from the original form of omicron. BA.2 trends still show the subvariant is causing less severe illness, and that approved COVID vaccines still offer robust protection from hospitalization and death.

Because of the availability of at-home COVID testing kits, state health officials say tracking hospitalization metrics is a more accurate reflection of the amount of virus still spreading.

There were a total of 54 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Monday, with three of those patients on ventilators.

State data showed COVID hospitalizations were also continuing downward on Monday. A week ago on March 7, there were 70 Alaskans hospitalized with COVID.

The new cases were sequenced last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The average number of daily cases over the past week as of Monday was 334.2 per 100,000 people, which is still considered high risk. That’s up from last Monday’s metric of 225.4 cases per 100,000. This seven-day average figure estimates a daily case count proportionate to population by averaging the actual number of reported cases each day over the previous week.

New cases reported Monday included 14 in Soldotna, 13 in Kenai, 11 in Homer, seven in Seward, four in the Kenai Peninsula Borough North, three in the Kenai Peninsula Borough South, two in Sterling and one in Anchor Point.

Officials are encouraging everyone to get caught up on their COVID vaccinations in order to minimize risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

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.

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.

State health officials have said studies indicate that a person with their primary series is expected to be about 35% protected against omicron, but that protection jumps to around 75% with a booster dose.

The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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 the FDA announced it was revising its fact sheet for the Janssen shot to include more data on the risks of blood clotting associated with the vaccine.

According to the DHSS’ Facebook page, the state is recommending people with a primary Janssen vaccine to get either a Pfizer or Moderna booster for more robust protection.

Getting a vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines do not cost money, and are available to people with and without health insurance. 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 Seward, testing is available at Providence Medical Center, Glacier Family Medicine, Seward Community Health Center and the Safeway pharmacy.

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