By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
A drop in COVID admissions to the hospital, full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine and the forecast for the start of booster shots.
Those were among the topics covered at Wednesday’s weekly Unified Command meeting.
The dashboard listed five new positive tests for residents on Thursday, which kept the rolling daily average at 7.36 today.
Rob Janik, acting incident commander for the city emergency operations center, said he was pleased to see full FDA approval for Pfizer. It is one of the three vaccines that have been administered under an emergency use authorization.
“We anticipate (full approval) eliminates one of the barriers people had stated for vaccination,” he said. “Hopefully it will increase the vaccination rate.”
Dave Miller helps register Sitkans arriving for a COVID-19 vaccination clinic outside Harry Race Pharmacy this afternoon. Joy Antolin, at left holding her shih tzu bichon, Rollie, was one of several Sitkans lining up to get a shot. Miller says while most people are getting first or second doses, some are now getting booster shots. As of today 6,060 Sitkans have been at least partially vaccinated. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
Janik said third doses of Pfizer and Moderna are being given to those who are immunocompromised, and advised those who believe they are in that category to consult a healthcare professional.
He added that he expects to see more information out as early as Monday about the booster shots for people vaccinated between six and eight months ago.
“Our case rate continues to decline, which is reassuring,” he said.
Six positive resident tests came in Wednesday, five on Thursday and two by press time today. The two-week rolling average, updated 8 p.m. Thursday, held steady at 7.36 resident cases per day. Cases peaked at above 20 average cases per day in late July.
“(The decline) is most likely due to mitigation efforts, and the increased vaccinations that we’ve seen,” Janik said.
From SEARHC, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elliot Bruhl said the numbers for virus admissions have “dropped significantly in the last 10 days.”
“We as of yesterday (Tuesday) didn’t have anybody who was COVID positive that was hospitalized,” he said. “It ebbs and flows but the numbers have been going down steadily.” A few weeks ago, Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center had 12 COVID patients.
Anchorage hospitals are full or near capacity, which has the potential to affect Mt. Edgecumbe, which sends patients to Alaska Native Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital, and Providence Alaska Medical Center. Seattle is SEARHC’s other option for patients, he added.
“It’s a situation we’re monitoring,” Bruhl said.
He also updated the group about the busy testing center, open noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Bruhl specified groups for which a third dose is currently recommended: those with solid organ transplants, who are on strong suppressors of their immune system; those receiving cancer treatment; “and ... a lot of other people who need to take medicines that suppress their immune system in order for them to have a normal life.”
Those include patients with rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and psoriasis who take immunosuppressive drugs, but, like Janik, Bruhl recommended talking to a health provider for guidance. Both SEARHC and Harry Race Pharmacy are administering third doses of vaccine to those qualified.
Bruhl on a final note discussed monoclonal antibody infusion, a treatment for certain COVID-positive patients, generally those over age 50 with health conditions.
“Those conditions – the criteria for that infusion – continues to get broader and broader,” Bruhl said.
The treatment, for those for whom it’s recommended, has been shown to be effective preventing the possibility of hospitalization and death.
Public Health Nurse Denise Ewing reminded the public about the availability of the COVID-19 Echo programs from the Department of Health and Social Services, in which medical and scientific experts respond to the coronavirus and other public health issues. The webinars are noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, and the site can be reached by typing “Echo Alaska” into Google.
“It’s a great place to get more information on the vaccine on COVID and just have your questions answered,” Ewing said. “It’s quite helpful during this time with all the changes that are coming with the vaccine, the boosters and immunocompromised. ... It’s a good resource.”
Pharmacist Trish White said the vaccine clinic set for today, in the building next to Harry Race Pharmacy, was likely busy, with about 60 percent of the patients turning up for second doses, and “a few firsts – not as many as I was hoping.” About 20 people signed up today are getting their third dose.
She added that the pharmacy will start flu shots on Sept. 17. Registration for flu and COVID shots are at sitkapharmacies.com. Signup for COVID vaccination at SEARHC is covid19.searhc.org.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska general manager Lisa Gassman said the tribal government offices remain closed due to the high levels of COVID in the community. She said she appreciates that SEARHC is reaching out to those considered immunocompromised for their third dose of vaccine. She also commended SEARHC on its efforts to “communicate with people, encouraging vaccinations and getting people who need it in there to get their (additional) shot done.”
At Mt. Edgecumbe High School, Superintendent Janelle Vanasse said most of the school’s 385 students arrived over the weekend. Five or six have tested positive; they are quarantining and will be retested later.
Vanasse added today that about 80 percent are vaccinated, and a clinic is planned for a couple of weeks from now, raising the rate to 85 percent.
Frank Hauser, superintendent of the Sitka School District, said the “well-organized opening” of school has gone well, and thanked the principals for their work. Masks are required for students and staff while the community is in “high” alert.
“Our new rapid test program is up and running,” Hauser said. “Our student athletes and participants in extracurricular activities tested on Monday morning and will continue to test weekly. Other schools have a weekly test date.”
The high alert and precautions have not diminished the excitement that accompanies the start of school, Hauser said.
In other updates, the public information officers said the Assembly approved extending the mask mandate through September 28 or sooner if the alert level goes down.
