By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka over the weekend passed the 70 percent mark for its population who are at least “partially vaccinated” against COVID-19.
The dashboard at the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services lists 4,898 partially vaccinated, for 70.48 percent; and 4,486 fully vaccinated for 64.56 percent. The percentages are based on the 16 and up population of 6,949. The state figure has been recently updated for Sitka’s 16 and up population.
The community with the highest percentage “partially vaccinated” is Skagway at 78.72 percent, followed by Bristol Bay plus Lake and Peninsula (78.1 percent). In Southeast Sitka is behind Skagway, Petersburg, Yakutat (plus Hoonah and Angoon), and Juneau, but ahead of Haines, Wrangell, Ketchikan and Prince of Wales/Hyder. Sitka has a higher percentage partially vaccinated than the state, which is at 54.7 percent.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today expanded the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15.
SEARHC and Harry Race Pharmacy are vaccinating Sitkans through clinics. SEARHC last week urged those ages 12 to 15 to register to be vaccinated and no further information was available by press time about clinic schedules for adolescents following the FDA announcement today.
Sitka’s 14-day rolling average stayed in the “low” range, despite the addition of three resident cases Thursday and Friday. The number of current active cases is at eight, with five resident cases and five nonresidents on the two-week timeline. Only resident positive tests are counted in the rolling average.
The two positive tests on Thursday were an asymptomatic female resident, age 50-59, tested the day before, and a transmission classification of “travel”; and a nonresident asymptomatic female, 10-19, tested Tuesday “community spread.”
Friday’s positive tests were for a symptomatic male resident, 50-59, tested Wednesday, “travel”; and a resident male, 30-39, tested Wednesday, “travel,” and contact tracing in progress.
“Travel” was the transmission classification for eight of the last 12 positive tests, which means cases attributed to travel outside of Alaska during some or all of their exposure period in a location with known COVID-19 cases.
Sitka has been in the “low” risk range since late April.
