By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka moved into “orange” – or moderate – risk for the spread of COVID-19, after the 14-day rolling average dipped below 1.
“I’m pleased to see the case count going down,” commented City Administrator John Leach, one of the incident commanders in the response to the pandemic. “It stems from mitigation efforts, and people following recommendations. I’m hoping with the case count – and rollout of the vaccine – will hopefully lead to further decline, and lead to opening of schools, buildings and businesses.”
The School Board at its meeting tonight will discuss the details of starting in-person instruction, which the district office said will start Monday.
“We’re excited – we’re probably not as excited as the parents,” District Superintendent John Holst said at press time today. “Parents are overjoyed.”
The 14-day rolling average went from just above 1 to .93 today, with two new positive test results reported Tuesday and today on Sitka’s dashboard. The current active case count is 4; the two-week test result count is 14, although 2 are nonresidents.
The dashboard is generally updated around 5 p.m. daily. In all, four new test results were posted on Tuesday and today, with contact tracing complete and all listed as “secondary” transmission classification:
Tuesday
- a symptomatic woman, age 20-29, tested Jan. 4.
- an asymptomatic man, 60-69, tested Jan. 4.
Today
- a symptomatic woman, age 30-39, tested Jan. 5.
- a symptomatic man, 50-59, tested Jan. 4.
Leach also said the most recent sampling of Sitka’s wastewater were in line with the declining trend in cases.
The school district website lists its status as “yellow,” or “moderate” risk as well. Students started attending school today through virtual means, including Baranof elementary students.
In a news release, the state announced signups for vaccinations opened at noon today for those 65 and up, with shots starting Jan. 11. Healthcare workers and long-term residents and staff remain eligible, the Department of Health and Social Services announcement stated. At press time today, six time slots were available at Harry Race on Jan. 20.
“We do expect a high volume of interest in our website, covidvax.alaska.gov, and our contracted call center, 907-646-3322,” DHSS said. “At this call center, you can leave a message to get a call back. This call center can help walk people through the process of scheduling appointments but cannot provide medical advice; please call your health care provider for medical questions.”
SEARHC, the public health center and Harry Race and White’s pharmacies are providing vaccinations, and hundreds have already signed into the SEARHC webpage, at covid19.searhc.org. More than 900 have received their first dose from one of the providers.
The state announcement says:
“We apologize in advance if people experience difficulties today, but please have patience. Even if you are eligible to receive the vaccine, please know that it may take some time to secure an appointment. Please know that more appointments are added weekly, so check back often. You can sign up to be on a wait list. Please cancel your wait list slot if you do get an appointment through a different vaccine provider.”
DHSS says assistance is available at the public health center, emergency operations center or from personal health care providers.
The announcement asks residents to help seniors who may be having trouble making an appointment.
“We’re all in this together, and our goal as a state is to get vaccine out quickly and equitably across the state, with eligibility going first, while vaccine is limited, to those who are most at risk and vulnerable to severe illness and death,” the state agency said.
