COVID-19

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Small uptick in COVID cases; hospitalizations still down

There were 559 news cases in Alaska sequenced Wednesday and Thursday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge speaks at the city council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Ruffridge, who also owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and has helped spearhead multiple COVID-19 response efforts on the central Kenai Peninsula, said it was important to acknowledge the repeal of mask recommendations for “celebration’s sake.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna fully repeals masking recommendations for city buildings

The city has changed its guidelines multiple times over the course of the pandemic

Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge speaks at the city council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Ruffridge, who also owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and has helped spearhead multiple COVID-19 response efforts on the central Kenai Peninsula, said it was important to acknowledge the repeal of mask recommendations for “celebration’s sake.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID cases continue to decline

State data showed a 46% decrease in cases from the week of March 14 to the week prior

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, in this April 7, 2020, file photo. (Peninsula Clarion file)

CPH relaxes visitation guidelines for COVID-negative patients

The changes are effective March 15

A sign instructing patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, in this April 7, 2020, file photo. (Peninsula Clarion file)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID cases plateauing in Alaska

Varying vaccination rates and mitigation policies are affecting outbreaks in other parts of the world

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

No new COVID deaths

Cases continue a downward trajectory

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

COVID cases slightly up from last weekend, hospitalizations down

There were a total of 54 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Monday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH faces employee vaccine mandate deadline

Hospital not expecting compliance issues

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Pressure lets up at hospitals

As of Wednesday, there were 69 COVID-related hospitalizations in the state

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports backlogged COVID cases, 10 new deaths

There were a total of 69 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Wednesday

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

State still at high risk level but COVID cases falling

There were a total of 70 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Monday

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

COVID cases still down

There were a total of 73 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Friday

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

Peninsula residents among newly reported COVID deaths

New deaths are reported through death certificate review each Wednesday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

As COVID cases fall statewide, hospital feels relief

COVID cases have been plummeting in Alaska since mid-January

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Contact tracing, masking to end at schools Friday

The district announced new changes to its COVID-19 protocol on Monday

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula’s Community Level is shown as medium on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled new metrics to assess COVID-19 risk level last week. (cdc.gov)

State COVID cases declining

The new cases come days after new masking guidelines were issued by the CDC

The Kenai Peninsula’s Community Level is shown as medium on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled new metrics to assess COVID-19 risk level last week. (cdc.gov)
A map of COVID-19 Community Levels by county show the Kenai Peninsula have a “medium” community level on Friday, Feb. 24, 2022. (CDC.gov)

CDC: Many more can ditch masks, for now

The agency is now only advising universal masking in regions where community COVID level is high

A map of COVID-19 Community Levels by county show the Kenai Peninsula have a “medium” community level on Friday, Feb. 24, 2022. (CDC.gov)
Data from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services show that some regions of Alaska have dropped to "low" COVID alert level, while most others remain at "high" alert level, as of Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (Screenshot)

1,773 new COVID cases reported, no new peninsula deaths

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services only reports new deaths on Wednesdays

Data from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services show that some regions of Alaska have dropped to "low" COVID alert level, while most others remain at "high" alert level, as of Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (Screenshot)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

As COVID cases drop, long-term questions remain

As COVID-19 cases are falling in Alaska and nationwide once again, health officials are pondering what other kinds of health implications survivors of the disease… Continue reading

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
A health care worker holds a vial of Sotrovimab, a covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment. (ice_blue/Shutterstock)

Officials report new COVID deaths, emphasize early treatment options

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported 27 more COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, pushing the total to 1,108 Alaska resident deaths since the pandemic… Continue reading

A health care worker holds a vial of Sotrovimab, a covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment. (ice_blue/Shutterstock)