By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka remained at a “moderate” alert for COVID over the weekend and on to today, with one positive test result added to the dashboard on Friday.
With no new cases Saturday or Sunday, the 14-day average dropped slightly, to .64 per day and the risk level stayed at moderate.
In the 14-day positive case count window, there were nine positive tests listed for residents. The “current active cases” tally was six.
The cumulative case total is 286 residents and 32 nonresidents. The rolling case average has been below 1 per day since around Jan. 24 and briefly went into “low” risk but popped back into moderate soon after.
The positive test posted Friday was for a man in his 20s who was tested Feb. 3. Contact tracing is in process, so no information was available on the source of transmission by press time today.
SEARHC and Harry Race Pharmacy have ongoing vaccination clinics.
The city on its COVID website posted a graphic for “understanding the case rate”:
– High Alert Level – case rates above 1 in the daily average over the last 14 days. This equates to 15 positive results or more over the previous 14 days.
– Moderate Alert Level – a case rate of .5 to 1 in the daily average over the past 14 days. That equates to 7 to 14 cases over the last 14 days.
– Low Alert Level – a case rate of fewer than .5 daily average cases over the last 14 days. That is 6 or fewer cases over the last 14 days.
Another press release from the city reminds the public that those who have been vaccinated still need to “keep masking and socially distancing.”
The Center for Disease Control’s Frequently Asked Questions link for the COVID answers the question:
“Do I need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I have gotten 2 doses of the vaccine?”
“Yes,” says the agency. “Not enough information is currently available to say if or when CDC will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
“Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide in real-world conditions before making that decision. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision. We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself.”
The CDC said it will continue to update the public on its page as more information is learned.
Links to the CDC guidance and information from the state are available on the city COVID information page at cityofsitka.org.
Harry Race Pharmacy, in collaboration with the State of Alaska, is distributing vaccines based on CDC and State guidelines on February 10 and February 17 at the Sitka Fire Hall. Registration is now open for healthcare workers and individuals age 65+. To schedule an appointment visit https://www.sitkapharmacies.com/covid-19.Those with questions may call 907-966-2102.
A vaccine is also available through SEARHC, which is scheduling residents 50 and older, all medically vulnerable 16-64, and essential workers. Registration is available to all residents at https://covid19.searhc.org/.
The SEARHC COVID-19 sequencing follows guidelines from the CDC and State of Alaska. As sequencing groups open, eligible individuals will receive an email from SEARHC to schedule a vaccine appointment. SEARHC said today so far 2,664 have received first doses and 1,256 have received second doses, and clinics will run Tuesday through Friday this week.
