By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka’s COVID case rate continued upward today, boosted by several multiple-case days in the last week.
With 14 positive tests added to the dashboard on Monday and a total of 42 reported over the last seven days, Sitka’s case rate per 100,000 population today is 492.78.
A case rate of 100 and higher puts Sitka in the “high” alert range for COVID.
The 14 cases posted on Monday were the most Sitka has seen in a single day since August 18. No new cases were posted Sunday and 12 were added on Saturday.
Figures on the city’s COVID dashboard are updated every weekday, and can be seen at the website cityofsitka.org.
The city’s vaccination rate remained about the same, since clinics are generally held on Wednesdays and Fridays.
On Monday SEARHC sent out a letter to patients that the consortium is still waiting for Centers for Disease Control approval for booster shots for the general public. A third dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine is currently available only to those who are immune compromised.
The next clinic is Wednesday at Harrigan Centennial Hall, and appointments are still available at book.appointment-plus.com/ct97n84e/
Martha Pearson, SEARHC health promotion division director, said today SEARHC is getting “lots and lots and lots” of questions related to third doses and boosters.
“We wanted to give people information about who is eligible to get a third dose at this time,” she said, adding, “It is confusing.”
An attachment to Monday’s email asks those planning to seek a third dose because they are immune compromised to fill out the form attached to the email notice and take it to their vaccination appointment. It asks them to check the high-risk medical condition that applies:
– receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
– who have received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system.
– with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
– with advanced or untreated HIV infection – receiving active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (≥20 mg prednisone or equivalent per day) or other drugs that may suppress immune response
– other conditions which cause moderate or severe immunosuppression similar to the above conditions.
Patients may self-attest to their condition by completing and signing the form. “The vaccination site will keep a copy of this form and it may be audited by the state,” it says.
The information sheet also advises patients to talk to a healthcare provider about their medical condition and “whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.”
Harry Race Pharmacy’s vaccination clinics are on Friday. The appointment list for Sept. 24 is full for COVID shots, but spaces are open for October 1 and later clinics, the pharmacy’s site shows. The links can be reached through sitkapharmacies.com.
