By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka posted its first positive test for COVID in six days on Wednesday, and the risk level for transmission remained in “moderate.”
Sitka has six active cases; the eight positive test results over the past 14 days give the community a rolling case average of .57 cases per day.
The Wednesday positive test was a female resident, age 10-19, tested April 19 with results returned on Wednesday. Contact tracing is pending.
The dashboard appeared to take a bit of a jump in vaccinations when it was updated on Wednesday, with a total of 4,851 (68.55 percent) listed as partially vaccinated, and 4,352 (62.79 percent) listed as fully vaccinated.
The percentages are based on the 16 and up population of 6,931.
The Department of Health and Social Services has the demographics for vaccinations broken down by community and age.
Sitka’s senior population has a higher vaccination rate than the 16 and up population, with 87.4 percent of those 65 and older listed as “fully vaccinated,” and 90.5 percent as “partially vaccinated.” Sitka has 1,358 residents who are 65 and older.
Among other DHSS statistics: Sitka is seventh in the state for vaccination rates for those receiving at least one dose. The community ranks just behind Juneau, which has 68.6 percent. The community with the highest percentage is Skagway, with 77.51 of those 16 and up receiving at least one dose, followed by Petersburg (72.48 percent), then Nome (71.84 percent).
Trish White, co-owner of Harry Race and White’s pharmacies, said the vaccinations through her pharmacy at the fire hall are at a “steady and slow” pace of some 50 to 100 a week.
The most recent clinic was Wednesday, with about 44 receiving a first or second dose of Moderna - about half first doses and half second, White said - and the next clinic is scheduled for next Wednesday.
“It’s slowed down a little, which is really good news, because Sitka’s doing so well in the percentages,” she said. “We’re seeing a lot of fisher folk in now and we’re glad to accommodate them.”
Others vaccinating in town include SEARHC, which is giving vaccinations here and the communities it serves around the region; and Public Health Nurse Denise Ewing, who reached all four of Sitka’s seafood processors, and remote communities served by public health. She said she still has second doses to do for Port Protection and Point Baker.
Ewing said she vaccinated some 437 in the seafood processing companies, as well as Port Protection and Point Baker.
The statewide percentage is 48.7 percent for those receiving one or more doses, and 41.6 “fully vaccinated.”
