By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka’s COVID alert status improved today, moving to “substantial” from the “high” alert in place the past week.
The most recent seven days of test results doesn’t include the day last week when four new cases were reported. On Monday two positive tests were recorded, but the seven-day total was eight, which translated to a case rate to 93.86.
The case rate is the number of cases in a week, adjusted for 100,000 population. Sitka went into “high” - with 9 or more weekly cases - on November 17.
A Sitka ordinance requires face masks to be worn in certain indoor settings whenever the city is at “high” alert. Masks are not required when hight alert level ends.
State and federal guidelines say that other precautions should be observed when the alert is at “substantial,” such as wearing a mask when a six foot social distance can’t be maintained. Large indoor gatherings are not recommended, and holding events outside is encouraged.
Sitka’s vaccination rates remain higher than the figure for the state as a whole.
The age 5 and up population in the community has a vaccination rate of 80 percent with one or more dose, and 75 percent fully vaccinated. The state is at 61 percent and 55 percent for that age group.
For the Sitka population, including those below age 5, the Sitka rate is 76 percent receiving one or more dose, and 71 percent “fully vaccinated.” The state figures for all ages is 57 percent and 51 percent.
On the state’s vaccination map, the Aleutians East Borough shows the highest vaccination rate with 94 percent of the age 5 and up population with one or more dose; and 84 percent fully vaccinated. Sitka is just behind Juneau, which shows 81 percent with 1 or more dose and 74 percent fully vaccinated.
Other census areas with similarly high vaccination rates for the 5+ group are Yukon-Koyokuk (80%, 74%); Nome (80%, 72%); Skagway (80%, 74%); and Yakutat (78%, 73%). Those with lower one-dose percentages include Mat-Su (43%), North Slope (41%) and Southeast Fairbanks (38%), although the information is missing on percentage fully vaccinated.
City COVID statistics can be viewed at cityofsitka.org.
