An Anchorage man in his 30s was the latest COVID-19 death reported by the state Department of Health and Social Services on Monday. The man, who died over the weekend, pushes the statewide death toll to 391 since the pandemic began.
The state reported three new hospitalizations Monday. As of Monday, there were a total of 109 COVID-related hospitalizations statewide, with 13 patients on ventilators. Around 9.2% of hospitalizations — nearly one out of every 10 inpatients — were due to the virus.
There are 121 intensive care unit beds throughout the whole state, and as of Monday 93 of them — almost 77% — were occupied. In the Gulf Coast region, only two ICU beds out of 13 total were available.
Over the weekend the state reported another 826 resident and 37 nonresident COVID cases.
This includes 25 in Homer, 23 in Kenai, 15 in Soldotna, eight in the Kenai Peninsula Borough South, five in both Anchor Point and the Kenai Peninsula Borough North and one each in Nikiski and Sterling.
There were also nonresident cases identified in Soldotna, Homer, Kenai and the Kenai Peninsula Borough South.
This comes as vaccination rates have been caught in somewhat of a standstill in the past few weeks.
According to state data on Monday, almost 44% of Alaskans across all ages had been fully vaccinated. That compares to nearly 38% on the Kenai Peninsula.
The statewide percentage closely aligns with the average U.S. vaccination rate across all ages, which according to NPR Monday was 45.9%.
Getting a COVID vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines do not cost money.
Vaccines are available through the Kenai Fire Department by calling 907-283-8270, by walk-in every week at the Soldotna Wednesday Market, and for both residents and visitors at airports in Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks.
Many different businesses on the central peninsula, including pharmacies in Walmart and Walgreens, 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 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 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.
COVID 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, Capstone Clinic and Central Peninsula Urgent Care.
In Soldotna, testing is available at the Central Peninsula Hospital, 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.
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 Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
