This undated file photo provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows CDC’s laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus. (CDC via AP, File)

This undated file photo provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows CDC’s laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus. (CDC via AP, File)

More positive for COVID in Seward as testing expands

The city conducted more than 300 tests for COVID-19 over the weekend.

The state reported 12 more COVID-19 cases in Seward — two on Sunday and 10 on Monday — after the city announced last week an outbreak of the disease. The city of Seward also issued a press release Monday night identifying six more cases, which means 23 active cases have been identified in Seward since Thursday.

The six cases reported by the city of Seward Monday night were not reflected in the state’s Monday case count and will be included in Tuesday’s statewide update. Public health defines an outbreak as two or more cases.

The Seward Community Health Center and Glacier Family Medicine conducted more than 300 tests for COVID-19 over the weekend, according to a Sunday release from the city. Most of the tests performed by Glacier Family medicine have yielded negative results, the city said Monday.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The COVID-19 testing targets people who visited either the Seward Alehouse or the Yukon Bar between Sunday, June 21 and Tuesday, June 23. The businesses were identified by public health officials as possible exposure sites.

Several Seward businesses opted to temporarily close their doors on Friday in response to the outbreak, including the Seward Alehouse, the Yukon Bar, Seward Brewing Company, the Cookery, the Tufted Puffin, Tony’s Bar and the Lone Chicharron.

On Monday, the Seward Chamber of Commerce announced that all Independence Day events scheduled for July 4 in the city would be canceled. The cancellation includes fireworks and vendors downtown, in addition to the previous decisions to cancel the Mount Marathon Race and the July 4 parade.

The Boys of Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula also announced Monday that it would be closing the doors of its Seward Clubhouse until July 3 in response to the outbreak, and will evaluate reopening at the end of the week.

Two of the cases identified Monday are staff members at SeaView Community Services, a social services organization in Seward. The staff members are quarantined and are working with Alaska Public Health to determine if any other staff, vendors or clients may have been exposed, the organization said in a release Monday.

“SeaView is working diligently with appropriate public health officials to minimize the impact of exposure while continuing to provide essential behavioral health services to our community. We continue to execute deliberate precautions to ensure we mitigate COVID-19 transmission in Seward,” Chris Sheehan, chief executive officer at SeaView said in the release.

COVID-19 testing is currently available in Seward at Providence Seward Medical Center, Seward Community Health Center and Glacier Family Medicine.

The Seward Community Health Center will continue to provide targeted testing until July 2, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-2 p.m. People experiencing symptoms should call 907-224-2273 before arriving.

Glacier Family Medicine is providing testing to anyone interested until June 2 by appointment only. Call 907-224-8733 for more information.

The City of Seward strongly encourages residents to adhere to health guidelines issued by Alaska’s DHSS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include: Wearing a face covering; Practicing good hygiene; Staying at least 6 feet away from nonhousehold members; Staying home and contacting a health care provider when sick; and keeping your social circle small.

Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Kenai wildlife refuge seeking information on missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

The Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team conducts a training mission in Seward, Alaska in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team
Anchor Point fundraiser to benefit Alaska rescue and recovery group

Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization established in 2016.

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic staff (left to right) Angie Holland, RN; Jane Rohr, Sonja Martin Young, CNM; Robin Holmes, MD; and Cherie Bole, CMA provide an array of reproductive and sexual health services. (Photo provided by KBFPC)
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic releases report on STI trends on the Kenai Peninsula

The report pulls from data gathered from 2024 to early 2025.

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

A makeshift coffin decrying the risks of Medicaid funding cuts is seen on Thursday, June 26, in front of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. The cuts were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Ahead of Senate vote, Soldotna protesters defend Medicaid funding

Cuts to the program were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough school board to finalize budget

The new budget designed by the committee will be considered at a public hearing during the full board meeting on Monday evening.

Most Read