Update: A previous version of this story said that the Denali Education Center will provide testing through July. We’ve been informed that testing will go through September.
Omicron BA.5, the new variant of COVID-19, is going around in Alaska.
Rates are going up, and we know that this variant that’s circling right now is highly contagious, more so than past variants. But it’s a little hard for us to track exact numbers of cases.
Rene Dillow, Nurse Manager at the Mat-Su Public Health Center, says that this is especially true in places like Talkeetna where a lot of people use home tests.
Current case rates in the Mat-Su overall are at 357.9 per 100,000 people over the past seven days.
So we are in the medium risk range.
Instead of looking at cases just in terms of numbers, the CDC now has an algorithm based in part on numbers and in part on the availability of hospital beds. Masks are not recommended until high risk.
We still have hospital beds. That’s the good thing.
Dillow explains that bed availability and hospitalization rates are some of the last variables to be affected.
Hospitalizations go up when the cases reach our most vulnerable people, who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID.
Though this new strain of COVID-19 is highly contagious, it has a lower instance of severe illness or hospitalization.
If you’re ill, stay home. Don’t go around spreading it around. And, take measures to protect the people around you. There’s other things that are around that are transmissible, but of course we are concerned about COVID.
Medium risk has the most implications for people who are more vulnerable—individuals who are immunocompromised and over 65. So, even though medium risk might not pose a risk for you, it’s important to consider who you’re around.
When it hits that population, that’s where they end up in the hospital and then our hospital beds get overwhelmed. And that impacts all of us.
There are treatments available. Paxlovid is a prescription oral antiviral drug that reduces the risk of hospitalization.
It needs to be started within five days of testing positive or starting to have symptoms. Most importantly, symptoms.
Paxlovid must be prescribed by a provider—either a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also authorized state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients.
I really encourage anybody who is at risk who would need the medicine—because it is really effective—so anyone who needs medicine needs to talk to their doctor in advance. I encourage them to make a plan ahead of time.
I asked Dillow how she’s feeling looking into the next few weeks and months.
I am very concerned. I’m concerned that convenient testing continue to be available. The federal funding for that is really limited right now. Most of it went away at the end of June.
The Mat-Su Public Health Center is working on making testing more available to people who don’t have insurance. Places like Sunshine Clinic and Mat-Su Health Services are key to providing services.
Dillow says that even though COVID-19 variables are constantly changing, the general message remains clear.
Stay home if you’re sick, and stay away from vulnerable people if you have been exposed to COVID. And people who are older or immunocompromised should make a plan with their provider before they test positive.
Dillow would like to remind listeners that COVID-19 vaccinations are still available at no cost and are highly effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization.
Free home tests are available through the federal government and for pick up at Mat-Su Public Health Center in Wasilla and online at covid.gov/tests.
In Talkeetna, the Denali Education Center offers tests as well. Find the Denali Education Center online at denali.org or reach out to them at 907-733-7003. They will continue this service through at least the end of September.
Find out more information on the Alaska Department of Health website, dhss.alaska.gov. The state also still has a COVID-19 help line at 907-646-3322.
For KTNTA, I’m Nell Salzman.
