Given the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in Anchorage, residents should continue to keep 6 feet apart from non-household members, wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings, wash hands often, avoid large gatherings, and keep social bubbles small. 0000010363 00000 n Ward-Waller said the Anchorage Health Department is focused on aligning with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance which, according to an early August update, recommends testing for those who have symptoms of the virus, people who have a known exposure of someone with a confirmed or suspected case of the virus and people not fully vaccinated who either are prioritized for community screening or have been asked to get tested by school, work or a health care provider. The company is hoping for a 24- to 48-hour turnaround time for those tests, but were still waiting to see if thats going to happen or not, she said. Thats nearly quadruple the June daily average. https://www.muni.org/departments/health/Pages/default.aspx, Kingfisher Health Department 124 E Sheridan Ave # 101, Kingfisher, OK 73750, Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Its now at 7%. Testing is an important tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We havent seen that number at that level since back in November of 2020, Lawton said. In a memo to the Anchorage Assemblys health policy committee last week, Anchorage Health Department chief medical officer Dr. Michael Savitt wrote that between Sept. 23 and 29, the citys percent positivity was 9%. 0000070215 00000 n Phone: (928) 524-6126. 0000059066 00000 n The Municipality of Anchorage is scaling back COVID-19 testing efforts, including reducing testing site hours and changing guidance on who should get tested, as the city continues grappling. Alaska Park: Alaska Park has walk-in testing for asymptomatic residents, and has had shorter wait times than most other test sites over the past few days. ANCHORAGE, AK - On Friday, July 31, the Municipality of Anchorage will open five new COVID-19 testing sites. (YvDfVKT$a( Lk[gKdkS$0VI((>D)833&ee13]'C]`/yN!L;\oUUfYdaXfy +8da)909 0000071598 00000 n With the trend of increasing cases, and especially as we enter cold and flu season in the coming months, we hope that our testing sites will provide the people of Anchorage the ability to make sure they are not infected, and if they are, to take appropriate action.. 0000038604 00000 n 0000035970 00000 n All rights reserved. Instructions: The tests are free to the public, and referrals arent required. Fully vaccinated means people are two weeks past their final dose of the vaccine. Community Levels and Community Case Rates. The Municipality of Anchorage is adding five new drive-thru sites where people can test for COVID-19 starting Friday. 0000072622 00000 n How much you'll pay depends on your health insurance. People wait to be swabbed at the Visit Healthcare free COVID-19 community test site at the Loussac Library on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Alaska Public Media 2023. 0000069967 00000 n Phone: (928) 368-4110 Check local regulations before you travel. But note: You need to schedule an appointment, often days in advance. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself. 0000020972 00000 n If you notice even mild symptoms, you should get tested. The five testing sites will be located in the parking lots of the following: ChangePoint Church, 6689 Changepoint Drive Fairview Community Recreation Center, 1121 East 10 th Avenue Anchorage Church of Christ, 2700 Debarr Road Mountain View Urgent Care: The clinic in Mountain View has free walk-up tests available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: Testing is behind security, near the Starbucks. Both are operated by Capstone Clinic. 0000072081 00000 n hb``f`X01A%c$Qo(f`Pfj wu=~ s0}C$zkBN E@\850`sad A Kx0}>`K X'0`T`P `A L[rq9?L=q ] ee`Z, ZO9 endstream endobj 250 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/Index[6 167]/Length 28/Size 173/Type/XRef/W[1 1 1]>>stream Percent positivity increasing above 3% indicates that we are missing cases because the community may not be accessing the available testing, Savitt wrote in the Oct. 1 memo. Since the pandemic began, the state has conducted more than 2.73 million COVID-19 tests, and currently has a seven-day average positivity rate of 7.56%. I think theres just an increased awareness that even if youre vaccinated, you should be paying close attention to symptoms and not hesitateto get testedif you have a symptom that is indicative of possibly COVID, she said. Were happy to entertain those requests.. Lawton said the city will offer vaccinations or provide expert information at just about any gathering, such a community garage sale. -_aFSe\yqX Ee-^Jdp If a test is not done properly, or if you are in an early stage of infection or already partially recovered, your swab sample might not contain enough viral material to come back positive. Click on image for more information on At-home COVID-19 Testing. The volume has gone off the hook.. Anyone with any symptom of COVID-19 should get tested as soon as possible. Municipal testing sites include: ChangePoint Church, 6689 Changepoint Drive Muldoon Community Assembly, 7041 Debarr Road Z.J. After putting the contract out for bid, the city settled on a California company, Visit Healthcare as part of a $5.5 million, three-month contract paid for with money from FEMA. -Arrive early: Lines are generally shorter at opening time, which range from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. depending on the site. All rights reserved. Fairview Community Recreation Center, 1121 East 10 th Avenue. The Changepoint Church and Eagle River testing cites were not open Monday due to some of the crew having to commute from Wasilla. Alarmingly, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are at the highest levels yet in Anchorage," said Bill Falsey, Incident Commander at the Emergency Operations Center. You can call or visit them anytime Mondays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays 8AM-7PM Fridays, 8AM-7PM. We were willing to change, to help you change. In June, the Mayors Office and the Anchorage Health Department convened a working group of community experts, which included representatives from the State of Alaska, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital, Arctic Investigation Program, the Alaska Hospitalist Group, Medical Park Primary Care, and the University of Alaska Anchorage to develop a testing strategy for the Municipality of Anchorage. 0000070951 00000 n Show Low, AZ 85901, 1500 White Mountain Road Our organization is committed to building life-changing connections to Inspire Change, Empower Individuals and Improve Lives in the communities we serve. 0000071034 00000 n Laboratory PCR tests are still available at many pharmacies, health care offices, urgent cares, private testing sites and at some schools or community testing sites. The new testing sites will also test asymptomatic individuals, or those who think they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are not showing symptoms. (More details on specific locations below.). If you have any questions, call 928-537-5315 ext. Our community started with a . 0000035846 00000 n She encouraged people with questions about testing or vaccination to call the muni call center at 907-531-5100. 0000070468 00000 n | Alaska Insight, Litter of wolverine kits brings adorable triple threat to Alaska Zoo. So it is a substantial increase.. Click on the button or scan this QR code with your smartphone camera or click on the link and share your experience. 173 79 Contact her at mkrakow@adn.com. 0000070091 00000 n 0000050280 00000 n We dont want to lose that connection., Municipality of Anchorage to Open Five Additional Testing Sites, ChangePoint Church, 6689 Changepoint Drive, Fairview Community Recreation Center, 1121 East 10, Anchorage Church of Christ, 2700 Debarr Road, Muldoon Community Assembly, 7041 Debarr Road. Show Low, AZ 85901, Click on the button or scan this QR code with your smartphone camera or click on the link and share your experience. Testing volume now is different from when the city extended the contract over the summer, Gerace said. How common are false positives and false negatives? 0000036119 00000 n Alarmingly, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are at the highest levels yet in Anchorage, said Bill Falsey, Incident Commander at the Emergency Operations Center. 2020 Anchorage COVID-19 Response Operational Period 45 7/2/21 - 7/29/21 . On Thursday, there were no appointments available at any Anchorage location until next week. Here are some testing programs to know about: If you have COVID-19 symptoms and cannot find testing, stay home. When we contain the spread of this virus, we preserve vital hospital capacity, save lives, and make it possible for Anchorage to operate at a level closer to normal.". A note at the top of the testing locations website, anchoragecovidtest.org, said as of Thursday that testing locations run by city contractor Visit Healthcare should only be used by people with COVID-19 symptoms or who are a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case., By Friday, the note was gone, but individual sites continued to note that they were for only people with COVID-19 symptoms or close contacts of a COVID-19 case.. (Bill Roth / ADN). If you are symptomatic, you can call 907-694-9567 and staff will come out and test you in a parked vehicle. The sites will be operated by Visit Healthcare, a healthcare company focused on emergency response, through October 20. Fairview Community Recreation Center, 1121 E. 10th Ave. Anchorage Church of Christ, 2700 DeBarr Road, Muldoon Community Assembly, 7041 DeBarr Road. 0000036084 00000 n With the trend of increasing cases, and especially as we enter cold and flu season in the coming months, we hope that our testing sites will provide the people of Anchorage the ability to make sure they are not infected, and if they are, to take appropriate action, Dr. Patrick Miles, the companys chief medical officer, said in a statement. The Anchorage Office of Emergency Management says hours for the COVID-19 test sites are different this week: Dec. 31 Eagle River, Loussac Library, Muldoon Community Assembly, Changepoint Church and Lake Otis test sites will be open normal hours from 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Jan. 1, 2021 So that has been what prompted this change.. Welcome to ChangePoint Integrated Health. Testing is free, regardless of residency, and no proof of insurance is required. So we do want to dissuade those people from taking the space and that precious commodity for the really sick people, he said. 0000038945 00000 n The percentage of positive cases is also climbing. Wait times on Monday, Jan. 10, were reportedly as long as three hours. Send. to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tests will be free to the public. Nobody foresaw the delta variant cranking testing numbers up to 1,500 a day, he said. The sites will be operated by Visit Healthcare, a company that will also carry out testing for congregate living settings and essential workers in the city, according to Anchorage officials. Call Website Do a Self Check-Up Order Masks. Address: 6689 Changepoint Dr. Mountain View Urgent Care: The. Loussac Library, 3600 Denali Street. Visit Healthcare employee Heather Pilcher conducts a nasal swab at a COVID-19 testing site at the Loussac Library on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 in Anchorage. God wants to transform our lives daily, giving us joy and freedom as we follow his son, Jesus Christ. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Provide community members COVID-1 testing by the Municipality of Anchor-age and administer results on average within 72 . 0000059513 00000 n Heres a list of sites with some specific information: Alaska Airlines Center: The state-run Alaska Airline Center has been one of the busiest test sites in town in recent days, with lines of more than 50 cars at times. 0000050365 00000 n False positives are rare, but false negatives can occur. Emergency warning signs include*: *This list is not all inclusive. For more COVID-19 testing information visit www.muni.org/COVID-19. City of Anchorage is offering molecular COVID 19 testing in Anchorage, AK. There are also several smaller private clinics where you can get a free COVID test, even if you dont have insurance. 0000071744 00000 n Most people with COVID-19 may start out with only one or two mild symptoms. 0000061582 00000 n The sites will be open Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays and open for walk-up or drive-through. they were still sitting in their pickup truck near ChangePoint Church, waiting to get . Days Activated: 2732020 Anchorage COVID-19 ResponseOperational Period 33: 11/7/20 - 12/5/20 Municipality of Anchorage Cases, Testing Data, Hospital Data, and Roadmap to Reopening Stoplights EOC Operations and Anchorage Health Department Contact Tracing EOC Resource Requests, 211 Report, and Finance Status Report KTOO collaborates with partners across the state to cover important news and to share stories with our audiences. If you developemergency warning signsfor COVID-19 getmedical attention immediately. Lex Treinen is covering the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for Alaska Public Media. Im actually ensuring that, Gerace said. 0000002531 00000 n The tests are free to the public, and . While theres no avoiding a wait, here are a few tips that can help you save some time. 0000056570 00000 n . Fax: (928) 524-6090 Cutting hours doesnt mean were cutting access for people. A referral from a provider wont be required, and both people experiencing symptoms and those who dont have symptoms but think they might have been exposed to the illness may get a test there, the Anchorage Emergency Operations Center said in a statement Wednesday. 0000065210 00000 n A high demand for testing has repeatedly snarled traffic around the Lake Otis site. If you test positive,isolate yourselfto prevent spreading the virus to others, andtalk to your doctoras soon as possible to see if COVID-19 medications are right for you. 1920 W. Commerce Drive The sites will be operated by Visit Healthcare, a health care company focused on emergency response, through October 20. ( Anchorage Daily News) With COVID-19 hospitalizations at near-record levels, a gathering of vaccine skeptics is coming to Anchorage. At-home tests give fast results, can be taken anywhere and are widely available. Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage, omicron-fueled spike in COVID-19 cases is gripping Alaska, More Alaska health care workers are out sick or in quarantine as omicron hits, COVID surge in Kodiak is taking a toll on schools, high school moves online, Army grounds aviators for training after fatal crashes in Alaska and Kentucky, How do electric vehicles perform in Alaska? 0000001876 00000 n cvHDP)b'u0DFl :BG7*Oo^9lp`18Y$A@45"- Mh rD4~ r19Y^)aau`p!.`7n.x4dg6v(.CQ,-A`Vz>2$EQ;x3DLh":GQX:;40z'tkU =5tZ b @VXh]4+OXX(d\#?+XY%'$5X2.UAYl TPxbUbDZx[aSP]YD@>jRAs,ZjPS9Yco/^2X D*;FO&Mkh$! Anchorage Testing Counts and Trends The full AHD Weekly Health Metrics Report can be found here . Capstone Clinic, the main tester in Anchorage, is also posting daily updates with predicted wait times on its Facebook page. She also called states testing guidance a little bit more extensive.. | Alaska Insight, Litter of wolverine kits brings adorable triple threat to Alaska Zoo. For more COVID-19 testing information visit www.muni.org/COVID-19. Referral from a clinician is not required at the five new locations. Alaska Public Media is our partner station in Anchorage. Around the country, shortages of materials required for testing have led to delays in getting test results back. 0000028928 00000 n 0000031583 00000 n Lakeside, AZ 85929 Given the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in Anchorage, residents should continue to keep 6 feet apart from non-household members, wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings, wash hands often, avoid large gatherings, and keep social bubbles small, city officials said. The new testing sites will also test asymptomatic individuals, or those who think they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are not showing symptoms. Anchorage Health Department Director Joe Gerace said the testing centers operated by the municipality have done more than 310,000 tests since the city has started a testing program. With the trend of increasing cases, and especially as we enter cold and flu season in the coming months, we hope that our testing sites will provide the people of Anchorage the ability to make sure they are not infected, and if they are, to take appropriate action.". Its outside security, and non-travelers are welcome, Lawton said. -Get an at-home test kit: The city is out of test kits right now, but officials say they hope to get more in soon. Lawton said she expects wait times will be minimal at the Alaska Airlines. 0000025273 00000 n Visit Healthcare is honored to be working with the Municipality of Anchorage on setting up five community testing sites across the city, said Dr. Patrick Miles, Visit Healthcares Chief Medical Officer. At current testing rates, Gerace said, the city would have run out of testing money on Oct. 18 and the soonest it could get a financial extension would have been Oct. 26 meaning no city-run test sites would operate during the period in between. Established in 1989. Anchorage, along with the rest of Alaska, has seen a major surge in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations since July. At-home tests can be purchased at stores, pharmacies, or online. Officials and private vendors say they are working hard to set up more locations and add hours to ease the burden, but wait times can be as long as several hours at most testing sites. Staff say that demand has picked up substantially since it opened, so expect up to an hour and a half wait time. Gerace said the city approached the vendor to ask for a price break on the tests, which cost $98 each, but they didnt provide it. Anchorage Testing Counts and Trends The full AHD Weekly Health Metrics Report can be found here Contact her at mkrakow@adn.com. 0000055993 00000 n The sites operated by Visit Healthcare are the ones the city controls, Ward-Waller said, which is why other testing locations listed on the website dont have the same disclaimer. Changepoint Church 295 29,828 Eagle River 271 15,635 Elmore 93 807 Fairview Recreation Center 0 2,693 .