A record number of COVID-19 tests were conducted across Alaska this week as the number of new cases, deaths and hospitalizations remain steady, according to the information reported by the state’s Department of Health and Social Services.

A total of 38,163 tests were conducted this week, which is the highest number of tests in a single week since mid-July, according to the data available on the state’s Coronavirus Response Hub. Only 1,008 of those tests were conducted on the Kenai Peninsula, which has a seven-day positivity rate of .5%. The seven-day positivity rate of tests processed statewide is 1.85%.

On Saturday, the state announced two new deaths and 99 new cases of the disease, among 96 residents and three nonresidents. Of the 96 resident cases, one was located on the peninsula, in Kenai.

Since Sunday, Aug. 30, there have been 481 new cases of COVID-19 identified across the state: 453 among residents and 28 among nonresidents. Only 13 cases have been identified on the Kenai Peninsula in the last week.

The number of new cases outpaced the number of recovered cases that were reported this week, of which there were 80.

The five deaths reported this week bring Alaska’s total number of residents who have died after contracting COVID-19 to 42. The most recent reported death occurred on Sept. 3.

There are currently 31 COVID-19 patients hospitalized across the state. There are another five patients hospitalized under investigation for the disease. Eight of the hospitalized patients require treatment on a ventilator.

Testing locations on the Kenai Peninsula

On the central peninsula, testing is available at Capstone Family Clinic, K-Beach Medical, Soldotna Professional Pharmacy, Central Peninsula Urgent Care, Peninsula Community Health Services, Urgent Care of Soldotna, the Kenai Public Health Center and Odyssey Family Practice. Call Kenai Public Health at 907-335-3400 for information on testing criteria for each location.

In Homer, testing continues to be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at South Peninsula Hospital’s main entrance as well as through SVT Health & Wellness clinics in Homer, Seldovia and Anchor Point. Call ahead at the hospital at 907-235-0235 and at the SVT clinics at 907-226-2228.

In Ninilchik, NTC Community Clinic is providing testing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The testing is only for those traveling, symptomatic, needing testing for medical procedures, or with a known exposure after seven days. Only 20 tests will be offered per day. To make an appointment to be tested at the NTC Community Clinic, call 907-567-3970.

In Seward, testing is available at Providence Seward, Seward Community Health Center, Glacier Family Medicine and North Star Health Clinic.

Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.