Rising COVID-19 case numbers across the Kenai Peninsula is leading South Peninsula Hospital in Homer to restrict hospital visitation. Visitors will not be permitted until further notice, with exceptions for pediatric and OB patients only. Entrance for anyone with appointments and anyone seeking care is reportedly still allowed, but there will be door screening and masks will be required.
Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska:
“Unfortunately, we’re on our fourth week now of increasing cases across the state. We’re seeing a bit more orange and a bit more red in that state than we had previously. As we’ve noticed, they’ve been an increase, we’re getting our case count today, but it is the first time in quite awhile that I’ve seen a triple-digit day. Bummer to see those cases coming up, but it continues to be very encouraging to see the vaccines holding well against the disease. Again, you can see a slight increase in July, nothing to compare it to where we were back in October, November of last year, but it’s starting to move in that upward trajectory right now as a state as a whole.”
Dr. Zink also said that 96% of hospitalizations and 98% of deaths from COVID are in unvaccinated individuals. According to the Department of Health and Social Services, the current statewide alert level, based on the average daily case rate over 14 days per 100,000, is high at 12.7 cases per 100,000. Five regions in the state are listed as being in high alert status with widespread community transmission. Among those regions of the state in high alert status are the Kenai Peninsula Borough, which is seeing 18.70 cases per 100,000.
According to the 14-day case rate, all three regions of the Kenai Peninsula are listed as being in the red category, according to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District COVID-19 dashboard:
57% of Alaskans age 12 and older have received at least their first vaccine dose. 52% of Alaskans 12 and older have been fully vaccinated. 44% of the Kenai Peninsula Region are fully vaccinated.
