Angelique Ramirez, chief medical officer at Foundation Health Partners in Fairbanks, poses for a photograph in front of the emergency entrance at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Friday, Oct. 1, said it activated the Crisis Standards of Care policy because of a critical shortage of bed capacity, staffing and monoclonal antibody treatments, along with the inability to transfer patients to other facilities. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

3rd Alaska hospital invokes crisis care mode in COVID spike

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital said Friday it activated the Crisis Standards of Care policy

Angelique Ramirez, chief medical officer at Foundation Health Partners in Fairbanks, poses for a photograph in front of the emergency entrance at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Friday, Oct. 1, said it activated the Crisis Standards of Care policy because of a critical shortage of bed capacity, staffing and monoclonal antibody treatments, along with the inability to transfer patients to other facilities. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski campaign updates paperwork to continue to allow fundraising

Murkowski has not yet stated whether or not she intends to run for reelection in 2022.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
State health officials urged pregnant people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an urgent health advisory. (File)

‘Urgent’ CDC advisory recommends pregnant people get vaccinated against COVID-19

In August, 22 pregnant individuals died of COVID in the United States, officials said.

State health officials urged pregnant people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an urgent health advisory. (File)
Courtesy photo/ Alaska Court System
Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree spoke with the Empire about Alaska’s court system and its judicial selection process. Winfree is the first Chief Justice to be born in Alaska, and spent 25 years in private practice before joining the court.
Courtesy photo/ Alaska Court System
Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree spoke with the Empire about Alaska’s court system and its judicial selection process. Winfree is the first Chief Justice to be born in Alaska, and spent 25 years in private practice before joining the court.
(Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID-19 cases continue surge

Alaska remains the state with the highest number of new cases per capita in the country.

(Image courtesy CDC)
Elia Samuelson, left, of Bethel is announced as the winner of a $49,000 scholarship for the third week of the “Give AK a Shot” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program. His mother Carol also won $10,000 cash. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Fairbanks man, Bethel teen win this week’s vaccine lottery

“Give AK a Shot” awards funds to one newly vaccinated adult resident and one newly vaccinated child resident.

Elia Samuelson, left, of Bethel is announced as the winner of a $49,000 scholarship for the third week of the “Give AK a Shot” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program. His mother Carol also won $10,000 cash. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Version 3 of the Alaska Redistricting Board’s proposal for the Kenai Peninsula keeps intact most of District 31, now called District 6, but puts the Fritz Creek and Fox River areas into a new District 5 that includes the southern shore of Kachemak Bay and Kodiak Island. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Redistricting Board)

Board seeking input on maps redrawing state, peninsula legislative districts

The Alaska State Redistricting Board will collect public input on six maps.

Version 3 of the Alaska Redistricting Board’s proposal for the Kenai Peninsula keeps intact most of District 31, now called District 6, but puts the Fritz Creek and Fox River areas into a new District 5 that includes the southern shore of Kachemak Bay and Kodiak Island. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Redistricting Board)
(Image courtesy CDC)

State reports dwindling monoclonal antibody supply

Some shipments on backorder started to arrive Thursday, but supplies are still limited.

(Image courtesy CDC)
Christine Hill cuts out yellow Stars of David before an Anchorage Assembly meeting where the body heard public testimony from people about a proposed mask mandate on Wednesday in Anchorage. Hill, who is opposed to a mask mandate, had printed out the stars at home and was handing them out for others to wear during the meeting. She said she wore a star as a comparison to the oppression and genocide of Jewish people in Nazi Germany. Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson apologized Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, for his comments supporting some residents’ use of Holocaust imagery to liken a proposed citywide mask mandate to the oppression of Jewish people in Nazi Germany. (Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Bronson apologizes for backing use of Holocaust imagery

He defended the use of the yellow stars, with the words “Do not comply,” worn by some attendees opposing the mask mandate.

Christine Hill cuts out yellow Stars of David before an Anchorage Assembly meeting where the body heard public testimony from people about a proposed mask mandate on Wednesday in Anchorage. Hill, who is opposed to a mask mandate, had printed out the stars at home and was handing them out for others to wear during the meeting. She said she wore a star as a comparison to the oppression and genocide of Jewish people in Nazi Germany. Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson apologized Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, for his comments supporting some residents’ use of Holocaust imagery to liken a proposed citywide mask mandate to the oppression of Jewish people in Nazi Germany. (Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreal at the Residence in Mission (TRIM). (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 1,009 cases, 4 deaths from COVID

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported another four COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, which pushes the statewide total to 546 since the pandemic began.… Continue reading

Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreal at the Residence in Mission (TRIM). (Image courtesy CDC)
A bear feasts on the salmon run at Katmai National Park and Preserve on July 13, 2021. (Courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)

Bears show off full bellies at Katmai for Fat Bear Week

The bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve are preparing to show the world their beefy bodies starting today for this year’s Fat Bear Week.… Continue reading

A bear feasts on the salmon run at Katmai National Park and Preserve on July 13, 2021. (Courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)
Alaska state data shows COVID-19 caseloads have far exceeded the winter 2020 surge. (Photo from the Alaska DHSS)

Alaska reports 4,025 COVID cases over weekend

Alaska had the most per-capita COVID-19 cases in the country again Monday, as the Department of Health and Social Services reported an additional 4,025 new… Continue reading

Alaska state data shows COVID-19 caseloads have far exceeded the winter 2020 surge. (Photo from the Alaska DHSS)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 death toll spikes due to backlog of data

Health officials struggle to keep up with coronavirus tracking.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. "And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens," Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Zink: Health care workers face increasing hostility

Health care professionals with the state have borne the brunt of scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have even reported violence on the job, officials… Continue reading

FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. "And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens," Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru clinic at Evraz Place in Regina on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Saskatchewan’s only children’s hospital is opening its pediatric intensive care unit to younger adults who have COVID-19 as the province runs out of critical care beds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor

Weekly vaccine lottery winners announced

The Alaska Chamber of Commerce announced the second week’s lottery winners Thursday, as part of the “Give AK a Shot” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program. Ashley… Continue reading

A dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru clinic at Evraz Place in Regina on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Saskatchewan’s only children’s hospital is opening its pediatric intensive care unit to younger adults who have COVID-19 as the province runs out of critical care beds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Another COVID death, more than 1,200 new cases reported statewide

Statewide, there were 213 COVID-related hospitalizations as of Wednesday.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the state during a COVID-19 press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (screenshot)

Health care workers contracted from Lower 48 to help Alaska’s COVID crisis

Alaska has been reporting the highest number of COVID cases per capita in the nation this week.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the state during a COVID-19 press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces a tourism aid initiative at Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau, Alaska, on April 9, 2021. (Govrernor’s Office/Kevin Goodman)

Alaska to offer free vaccines to state visitors

Alaska will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to people flying into the state at four major airports starting June 1, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced during a… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces a tourism aid initiative at Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau, Alaska, on April 9, 2021. (Govrernor’s Office/Kevin Goodman)
The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management offered the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines at the walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Cases decrease as more get vaccinated, but officials say the pandemic isn’t over yet

Although positive COVID cases are decreasing overall, the state continues to see more of the B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant.

The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management offered the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines at the walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

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