By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Vaccinations updates, case trends and reminders about continued diligence in COVID-19 prevention were among topics covered at the last Unified Command meeting of the year.
At the Dec. 30 meeting, John Leach, incident commander and city administrator, noted the case average is on the decline, and the wastewater analysis report indicates the amount of “viral gene copies” detected in Sitka’s wastewater is declining.
“I’m happy to see the case count continuing to decline,” Leach said.
The rolling case average was below 2 last week, and has continued to decline since then, to today’s 1.14, based on a two-week rolling average. The most recent cases were a symptomatic woman, age 60-69, tested Dec. 30, attributed to “community spread”; a boy, 0-9, tested Jan. 2; and a woman, age 20-29, also tested Jan. 2.
In a report about the ongoing local vaccination effort at Wednesday’s Unified Command meeting, Trish White, Harry Race owner, said the pharmacy currently is working with the state on the Moderna vaccine for Tier 3. Enrollment is available on the state vaccination website.
“They’ve asked us to take care of all the appointments, and it’s opened on the COVID Alaska website ... and it looks like the spots are filling up,” White said. “We’ll be taking care of those vaccinations mid-January.”
Public Health Nurse Denise Ewing also noted the downward trend in cases, in hopes of Sitka’s move from the “red” or high risk, into “orange,” or moderate risk.
“Don’t want to jinx anything,” she said, adding that Juneau is also seeing a decline in risk levels.
She said more Moderna and Pfizer vaccine is expected to arrive – more than originally anticipated, although she didn’t have an exact number of doses yet.
“So that’s good news,” she said.
The state is expected to start vaccinating Phase 2 Alaskans, perhaps by the end of January or early February. That includes congregate living facilities, working facilities that are congregate, those at risk, and “those who can’t be reached through other means.”
Sitka Fire Department Chief Craig Warren asked for patience from the public when it comes to vaccinations. He said he contacted the first-responders groups (under Phase 1) for vaccinations, but that he is referring questions about the other phases and tiers to public health, SEARHC and White’s pharmacies, which are in charge of dispensing the vaccine.
“I’m asking for patience from the public,” he said. “We’re doing the best we can and we’re not wasting a dose.”
Maegan Bosak, SEARHC marketing and communications director, updated the group on testing and administering the vaccine. SEARHC is the depot for the vaccine.
“It’s been a huge effort since December 16, when we first received the Pfizer to get it out to citizens and to multiple other communities as fast as possible,” she said. “So it’s been all hands on deck – I really have to compliment the staff who’s done amazing work.”
As of last Wednesday, some 2,054 doses have been given in Southeast, with 854 going to Sitkans. (The number had exceeded 900 by the weekend.)
Bosak shared the SEARHC sequencing guidelines for the vaccine:
“The first group is long-term care and essential healthcare workers – that’s all residents in our long-term care, as well as all patient-facing healthcare staff and others who work in care environments of hospitals and clinics.
“Our second group is elders, those aged 80 and over. Our third group is elders and frontline essential workers – so all those age 75 and over and frontline essential workers as defined by the CDC.
“Our fourth group is older individuals, medically vulnerable and other essential workers. So all those 65 to 79 and other essential workers as defined by CDC. Our fifth group is all those aged 55 to 64. Our sixth group is all those aged 50 and over. Our seventh group is the general population.”
“So just to add onto what Craig said, the sequencing is confusing and folks don’t know exactly where they fall,” Bosak said. “What we recommend is to please get registered if you’re interested in receiving the COVID vaccine.”
Registration is available at covid19.searhc.org.
“Once doing so, a SEARHC representative will call you to schedule an appointment based on the sequence that you’re in,” Bosak said.
Sitka School District Superintendent John Holst said the teachers have inservice today and Tuesday.
When classes resume on Jan. 6 following the winter break, virtual learning procedures will be in place for all schools, including Baranof Elementary, Holst said. But he held out hope that schools will return to in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 11.
“We’re hoping that we will be able to announce next week (at the Jan. 6 board meeting) that we’ll be opening full-time on the 11th of January,” he said. “... We’re hoping to get back to some semblance of normality, if there is such a thing these days.”
Both he and Mt. Edgecumbe High School Superintendent Janelle Vanasse thanked those involved in the vaccine clinics for teachers and staff in the school district and MEHS.
Vanasse said students will start arriving Friday, with school starting Jan. 11. Students will start out in quarantine on campus after they arrive, and will stay in quarantine until their second negative test.
“Students are really enjoying their vacations and no one brought COVID back to their communities,” Vanasse said.
Early in his report, Leach noted the disaster emergency declaration approved by the Assembly. The city hopes to receive financial help following storm damages to Sand Dollar Drive, NSRAA, Blue and Green lake roads, and the Sitka Sound Science Center hatchery.
In closing he encouraged the public to continue to be cautious, and continue prevention efforts.
In an update from the state today, the Department of Health and Social Services announced Alaskans 65 and older can receive vaccinations starting Monday, Jan. 11, and scheduling will start Jan. 6.
“In an effort to continue to quickly vaccinate Alaskans, the Alaska COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force is opening up appointment scheduling and vaccination clinics for Phase 1b, Tier 1 – Alaskans 65 years of age and older – on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at noon, with appointments starting Jan. 11.
“Initially, those in Phase 1b, Tier 1 (Alaskans 65 years of age and older) were set to begin vaccinations in late January. However, after assessing how much vaccine remains to be administered, the Vaccine Task Force has adjusted the timeline forward.”
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said in the news release:
“All clinics who have received COVID-19 vaccine should continue to vaccinate the remaining health care workers from Phase 1a who wish to be vaccinated, but we are also excited to open up appointments for Alaskans who are 65 years of age or older.”
New timeline for Phase 1b, Tier 1 (Alaskans 65+):
Begin scheduling vaccinations at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 6 - Alaskans 65 years of age or older can schedule appointments starting noon on Jan. 6 by visiting covidvax.alaska.gov. Vaccinations for older Alaskans (age 65+) will now begin Jan. 11.
Choose an appointment for Jan. 11 or later – Alaskans 65 years of age and older can begin getting vaccinated starting Monday, Jan. 11. When signing up, Alaskans are asked to choose a date on Jan. 11 or later.
The news release issued today notes:
“Some Alaskans in future phases may have already made appointments. If you are in Phase 1B, Tier 1, you do not need to cancel your appointment. If you are not in health care or 65 or older as defined by Phase 1A or Phase 1B, Tier 1, please cancel your appointment so Alaskans in the earlier tiers can make appointments. New appointments will be added regularly as more vaccine providers sign up and more vaccine is available. Additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine and Alaska’s distribution plans may be found at Covidvax.Alaska.gov.”
