Coronavirus

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Youth 12-15 years old can now get vaccinated

Borough emergency management is working to assist the Pfizer vaccine rollout efforts to the new eligible population.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 2 new deaths as cases continue downward trend

DHSS reported 62 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, a drop from over 100 reported a week ago.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Two cookie boxes our household received from nearby friends, photographed on Dec. 21, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kalifornsky Kitchen: Spread Christmas cheer with cookies

I’ve always enjoyed holiday baking and sharing, but wanted to do it on another level this year.

Two cookie boxes our household received from nearby friends, photographed on Dec. 21, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A flourless chocolate cake surprise on the doorstep, Monday, in Kalifornsky. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kalifornsky Kitchen: Spread love in the era of COVID-19

Do you miss your friends and family? I do.

A flourless chocolate cake surprise on the doorstep, Monday, in Kalifornsky. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Senior Elijah Royal-Reyna receives his diploma during Kenai Central High School’s Class of 2020 Graduation Parade in Kenai, Alaska on May 20, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Masks required for adults at KPBSD graduations; other protocols school-specific

Graduation ceremonies will cap the end of a school year that saw tensions rise between the district and parents.

Senior Elijah Royal-Reyna receives his diploma during Kenai Central High School’s Class of 2020 Graduation Parade in Kenai, Alaska on May 20, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council: Fire chief can appear in COVID vaccine campaign

Fire Chief Tony Prior asked to participate in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “Sleeves Up for Summer” COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

COVID cases drop 31% statewide this week, 29.8% locally

Positive COVID-19 cases statewide dropped about 31% in the last week, according to data from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. From April… Continue reading

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Data from the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology on Thursday, May 6, 2021 show the media usage of respondents in a survey about COVID-19 information. The report notes that this is about general media usage, not just as it pertains to COVID-19. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology)

Survey: Friends, family most trusted among vaccine hesitant

The study analyzed the subset group of those surveyed who were not planning to get vaccinated, but who were open to learning more about the shots

Data from the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology on Thursday, May 6, 2021 show the media usage of respondents in a survey about COVID-19 information. The report notes that this is about general media usage, not just as it pertains to COVID-19. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Department of Epidemiology)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State announces COVID death of resident in 20s

Alaska State Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink said she has been seeing more cases among younger demographics.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Coronavirus 3D illustration. (CDC photo)

146 new COVID cases today, 6 locally

The new case count includes six on the Kenai Peninsula.

Coronavirus 3D illustration. (CDC photo)
Coronavirus 3D illustration. (CDC photo)

102 new cases statewide on Tuesday, 5 on the peninsula

In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 42.7% of people 16 and up had received at least their first shot.

Coronavirus 3D illustration. (CDC photo)
Peninsula Clarion file
A sign directs drivers to a vaccine clinic held at Beacon Occupational Health in Kenai on April 10.
A sign directs drivers to a vaccine clinic held at Beacon Occupational Health in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Health officials work on vaccine convenience as rates flatline

Moving away from mass vaccination campaigns and reaching the people who haven’t made the time to get their shots yet is the goal in the coming months.

Peninsula Clarion file
A sign directs drivers to a vaccine clinic held at Beacon Occupational Health in Kenai on April 10.
A sign directs drivers to a vaccine clinic held at Beacon Occupational Health in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Coronavirus. (CDC photo)
Coronavirus. (CDC photo)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Peninsula, state show slowing vaccination rates

Close to one in two eligible Alaska residents — 43.8% — were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Youth cases increase; FDA closer to vaccine approval for 12 and up

Yhe increase is likely due to the fact that many youth are ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy launches his “Sleeves Up for Summer” mass vaccinaion campaign in this undated photo. (Photo via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

‘Sleeves Up for Summer’ looks to increase vaccination by 25% next month

Dunleavy urges Alaskans to get vaccinated in promotional video.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy launches his “Sleeves Up for Summer” mass vaccinaion campaign in this undated photo. (Photo via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, listens as residents discuss a levee they have concerns with on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Hyder, Alaska. Hyder was among the southeast Alaska communities that Dunleavy visited as part of a one-day trip. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Governor’s travel signals move to return to normalcy

Dunleavy visited the three Southeast Alaska communities in one day last week.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, listens as residents discuss a levee they have concerns with on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Hyder, Alaska. Hyder was among the southeast Alaska communities that Dunleavy visited as part of a one-day trip. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
The Soldotna City Council participates in a remote meeting on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Soldotna to resume in-person meetings regardless of COVID risk levels

The council first voted to restrict in-person meetings during October of last year.

The Soldotna City Council participates in a remote meeting on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks to Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, before a floor session to debate a bill over a disaster declaration in the state on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The debate would take lawmakers into the evening Wednesday, as over 40 amendments were submitted on the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Disaster debate drags out in Senate

Even if bill advances, governor might not sign it.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, speaks to Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, before a floor session to debate a bill over a disaster declaration in the state on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The debate would take lawmakers into the evening Wednesday, as over 40 amendments were submitted on the bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)