The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 848 new COVID-19 cases in Alaska on Monday, representing data from Dec. 22 through Dec. 26.
Of the new cases reported Monday, 794 were reported among Alaska residents, including 18 in Homer, 14 in Soldotna, six in Anchor Point, five in Sterling, four in Kenai and one each in Kenai Peninsula Borough North, Kenai Peninsula Borough South, Nikiski and Seward. That’s in addition to one nonresident case reported in Homer and one nonresident case reported in Soldotna.
“Layering on other protective measures, including masking, handwashing, physical distancing, and testing can also help to reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus, including Omicron,” a Monday update says. “(DHSS) encourages Alaskans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they haven’t already done so and to get boosted if they’re eligible.”
DHSS announced last week that Alaska will no longer offer COVID-19 testing at airports in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau beginning Feb. 1, 2022. Currently, testing is available at some Alaska airports for ticketed passengers. After Jan. 31, 2022, all airport testing will transition to “other testing resources within each community,” the department said in an update.
Four cases of the omicron variant have been detected in Alaska, according to DHSS’ Alaska Coronavirus Variants Dashboard.
The update comes as COVID-19 continues to disrupt lives around the world. More than 1,000 flights were canceled over the holiday weekend due to staff shortages caused in part by COVID-19 illness and exacerbated by severe weather, the Associated Press reports.
The department also reported 57 new resident hospitalizations on Monday, bringing the total number of Alaskans hospitalized due to COVID-19 to 59, including two who were considered persons under investigation for the disease. Fourteen of the patients were on ventilators.
Health officials widely agree that vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID.
As of Monday, 60.3% of Alaskans 5 and older were fully vaccinated, and another 67.5% had received at least one dose. The Kenai Peninsula Borough lags behind the statewide average, with 48.5% of people 5 and older fully vaccinated as of Monday. Pfizer’s vaccine is approved for everyone 5 years and older, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines are approved for anyone 18 and older. Pfizer and Moderna boosters and additional doses are also available for adults 18 and older.
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. Pfizer and Moderna boosters and additional doses are also recommended for anyone 18 and older and six months out from their second dose. The J&J vaccine booster is recommended two months after the primary dose.
Many organizations on the central peninsula, including Walmart, Walgreens, the Kenai Fire Department and Kenai Public Health, 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. The clinic has extended its hours to Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 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.
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 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 is offering drive-thru testing Tuesdays only. 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.
