COVID-19

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

4 new deaths, more than 600 new cases statewide

83 resident cases and four nonresident cases were reported on the peninsula.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, on the COVID-19 response and vaccination program. U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and signs that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, on the COVID-19 response and vaccination program. U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and signs that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on the current screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Hospital ‘extremely busy’ as COVID patients surge

There were 14 COVID patients admitted as of Tuesday afternoon.

A sign instructing patients and visitors on the current screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

More than 1,000 cases reported over the weekend

The new case count includes 147 resident cases on the peninsula and 12 more nonresident cases under investigation.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Dipnetters camp on North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Dipnetting season ‘generally productive’ for city

The total revenue for the season, which was open from July 10-31, was about $485,600.

Dipnetters camp on North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Cases trending up as school year approaches

The state is also seeing a shift in the age range of people testing positive for COVID-19, according to state health officials.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Zink: We’ve reached a really hard point in the pandemic

The virus has mutated into a more transmissible strain while health care capacity is dwindling and the public is exhausted with mitigation efforts.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
COVID-19 cases are showing up in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region. (Photo courtesy CDC)

Peninsula records 8% of state’s new cases

The Kenai Peninsula is second to last for vaccine rollout, only above the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s 37.2% inoculation rate.

COVID-19 cases are showing up in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region. (Photo courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

258 new COVID cases, 33 locally

22.5% of all hospitalizations in the Gulf Coast — which includes the Kenai Peninsula — were COVID-related as of Tuesday.

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

Man in 30s latest COVID death, hospitalizations and cases up

Over the weekend the state reported another 826 resident and 37 nonresident COVID cases.

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
State data shows the current COVID-19 spike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. (Image via the Department of Health and Social Services)
State data shows the current COVID-19 spike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. (Image via the Department of Health and Social Services)
A sign instructs patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. The hospital recently matched the number of hospitalizations reported during the peak of the pandemic in 2020 as a resurgence of COVID-19 is reported across the state. (Peninsula Clarion file)

‘We’ve been super, super busy’

Local hospitalizations reach levels not seen since pandemic’s peak last year

A sign instructs patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. The hospital recently matched the number of hospitalizations reported during the peak of the pandemic in 2020 as a resurgence of COVID-19 is reported across the state. (Peninsula Clarion file)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

2 more COVID deaths as cases rise

As of Tuesday, every census region in the state was categorized as high alert status.

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
Parent Nicole Darwin testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. Darwin testified in opposition to universal masking. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Parent Nicole Darwin testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. Darwin testified in opposition to universal masking. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna is now offering COVID-19 vaccines with no appointment necessary. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Delta variant accounts for 90% of new COVID cases, state reports

Data suggests that on average, one person with the delta variant will infect between five and eight other people.

A clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna is now offering COVID-19 vaccines with no appointment necessary. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at an Anchorage news conference on Sept. 15, 2020. (Courtesy photo/Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Dunleavy encourages Alaskans to get vaccinated

Dunleavy emphasized that the vaccines had been developed as part of the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at an Anchorage news conference on Sept. 15, 2020. (Courtesy photo/Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)