Central Peninsula Hospital on Thursday broke its inpatient census record for the second time this week, when the hospital was treating 69 patients, 25 of which were COVID-19 positive, and operating at 140% capacity. That news came as 97 new COVID-19 cases were reported on the peninsula — with cases in nearly every community on the Kenai Peninsula — and as the region accounted for two of the five new COVID-19 deaths reported by the state Thursday.
In Soldotna alone, 44 new cases were reported Thursday. An additional 20 were reported in Kenai, nine were reported in Homer, five were reported in Nikiski, four were reported in two Kenai Peninsula Borough North communities, four were reported in Seward, three were reported in Anchor Point, three were reported in Sterling and two were reported in two Kenai Peninsula Borough South communities.
Statewide, 833 new cases were reported on Thursday, including 818 residents and 15 nonresidents. An additional five deaths and nine hospitalizations were reported among Alaska residents Thursday. The deaths include a Kenai man older than 80, a Soldotna man in his 40s, a Dillingham Census Area resident in his 50s, a Haines man in his 70s and a Juneau woman in her 40s.
Nearly one in five people hospitalized in Alaska on Thursday were hospitalized with COVID-19. Of the 25 COVID-positive patients at Central Peninsula Hospital on Thursday, four were fully vaccinated. The nine-bed intensive care unit was 100% full and three COVID-positive patients were on ventilators.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough continues to lag behind other regions of Alaska in the percentage of residents 12 and older who are fully vaccinated with around 50.3% people vaccinated. Statewide, that rate is 60.1%.
Getting a COVID vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines do not cost money.
As an incentive to get the shots, the DHSS and Alaska Chamber of Commerce launched a lottery program for newly vaccinated eligible residents that offers weekly winners a prize of $49,000. To find out the eligibility requirements or to enter into the giveaway sweepstakes, visit giveakashot.com. The lottery lasts through Oct. 30.
Many different organizations on the central peninsula, including pharmacies in Walmart and Walgreens, and the Kenai Fire Department offer vaccines. They are also available for both residents and visitors at airports in Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks.
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 Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 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 the Chignik Lagoon Clinic, Odyssey Family Practice, Kenai Public Health Center and Capstone Clinic.
In Soldotna, testing is available at the Peninsula Community Health Center, Urgent Care of Soldotna, Walgreens and Soldotna Professional Pharmacy.
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. The Seward Community Health Center offers drive-thru testing Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
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.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
