COVID19 – City and Borough of Juneau

CBJ Wastewater Tracking Data Shows Upward Trend in COVID Virus Presence

The City and Borough of Juneau has participated since September 2022 in a voluntary tracking program, in partnership with the CDC, to monitor wastewater for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As of March 9, the data obtained through this program is trending relatively high.

CBJ originally tracked wastewater samples for several months in late 2020, before suspending the program for reasons of cost. CBJ resumed participation in the program in September 2022 with the support of federal subsidies.

Wastewater tracking is conducted by analyzing samples of wastewater, collected at local treatment plants, for the presence of SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19. This method focuses on sampling wastewater because people infected with COVID-19 shed viral genetic material in their feces whether or not they are displaying symptoms.

Wastewater samples are collected twice a week at the CBJ Mendenhall and Juneau Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plants. The samples are then sent to environmental or public health laboratories, where they are tested for the presence and concentration of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. The laboratory then reports the testing data to CBJ and the CDC.

As of March 9, viral material has been detected in increasing concentration over several tests and is at the highest levels since sampling resumed in September 2022.

CBJ does not intend to require any mitigation measures. This information is provided for community awareness and to aid Juneau residents in their personal decision-making.

Find out more about the CDC’s voluntary wastewater tracking program at the CDC NWSS website. View similar data submitted from communities nationwide in the CDC’s COVID data tracker.

For technical information about CBJ’s wastewater tracking program, please contact Chad Gubala at (907) 586-0393 or [email protected].

March 9th, 2023|

BRH COVID-19 Update: Therapeutics and Testing Transitions Underway

Bartlett Regional Hospital has released the following information about COVID-19 therapeutics and testing via their website:

Starting October 24, the hospital will be closing its monoclonal antibody therapy clinic due to a decrease in demand. Individuals seeking COVID-19 medication should contact their primary care provider to discuss options. The hospital will continue to offer EVUSHELD in Infusion Therapy to prevent infection for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination.

Starting November 15, given decreasing use the hospital will end its COVID-19 PCR drive-thru testing site and discontinue the testing hotline. COVID-19 testing will continue to be available to patients as a pre-procedure requirement. Laboratory testing continues to be available through SEARHC and Juneau Urgent Care. Antigen test kits are available at no cost at locations around Juneau as well as commercially.

“We feel comfortable taking these steps at this time given the decreasing numbers and need to reallocate resources,” said Kim McDowell, Chief Clinical Officer. “We are cautious about removing mitigation measures given our tight staffing and look forward to changing our testing and masking requirements as community transmission rates drop.”

The hospital is reviewing its COVID-19 policies and plans to make changes to mitigation measures such as required masking and pre-procedure testing as community transmission rates drop.

October 20th, 2022|

Update: Flu Shot Unavailable at October 1 Public Vaccine Clinic

UPDATE: We have confirmed that the flu vaccine shipment will not arrive in time to offer flu shots at tomorrow’s public vaccine clinic.

The City and Borough of Juneau, the Juneau Public Health Center, Bartlett Regional Hospital, and the Juneau School District will communicate broadly with the public about future flu vaccination options once Public Health receives their vaccine shipment. We apologize for the inconvenience.

ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The City and Borough of Juneau, the Juneau Public Health Center, Bartlett Regional Hospital, and the Juneau School District are sponsoring an updated COVID-19 booster vaccine clinic on Saturday October 1, 2022, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Floyd Dryden Middle School, 3800 Mendenhall Loop Road.

The clinic originally planned to offer both the bivalent COVID-19 booster and flu vaccines. However, due to delays at the manufacturer and in shipping, the flu vaccine has not yet arrived at Public Health. It is therefore possible that that the flu vaccine will not be available at tomorrow’s clinic. Those registered for the clinic have been informed of this possibility via email and will receive a follow-up email by the end of the day today notifying them whether or not flu shots will be available.

Public Health has received the COVID-19 booster from Pfizer-BioNTech. If you have registered for a COVID-19 booster you will still be able to receive your dose at tomorrow’s clinic as originally planned. Please bring your COVID vaccine card with you to your appointment.

For more information, contact the CBJ Manager’s Office at (907) 586-5240 or the Juneau Public Health Center at (907) 465-3353.

September 30th, 2022|

Updated COVID Booster & Flu Vaccine Clinic To Be Held October 1 at Floyd Dryden Middle School

The City and Borough of Juneau, the Juneau Public Health Center, Bartlett Regional Hospital, and the Juneau School District will sponsor an updated COVID booster and flu vaccine clinic on October 1, 2022, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Floyd Dryden Middle School, 3800 Mendenhall Loop Road.

The public clinic will offer the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster from Pfizer-BioNTech for individuals ages 12 years and older and flu vaccine for individuals ages 6 months and up. High dose flu vaccines will not be available at this clinic.

The updated bivalent booster vaccine, recently authorized by the CDC, contains vaccine for both the original strain of the virus and the omicron BA.4/5 variant.

You are eligible to receive the bivalent COVID booster if:

You are at least 12 years of age
You have completed your primary COVID-19 vaccination series (first and second shot)
Your last booster shot was over two months ago

You are eligible to receive the flu vaccine if:

You are at least 6 months of age

Register for an appointment at the clinic at juneau.org/vaccine. Those who need assistance registering can call the Alaska COVID-19 Helpline at (907) 646-3322. Please bring your COVID vaccine card with you to the clinic.

CBJ is aware of a number of other local providers who are offering or plan to offer the updated booster, including Costco, SEARHC, Juneau Urgent and Family Care, the Juneau Public Health Center, Ron’s Apothecary, and Fred Meyer. Appointments for some providers can be made at juneau.org/vaccine; others must be made directly via the provider. Like other COVID-19 vaccines, the updated booster is free of charge.

Visit the CBJ COVID-19 Information home page for information on testing and vaccination in Juneau.

For more information, contact the CBJ Manager’s Office at (907) 586-5240 or the Juneau Public Health Center at (907) 465-3353.

September 21st, 2022|

Updated COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Availability in Juneau

Recently the CDC authorized an updated COVID-19 booster vaccine that contains vaccine for both the original strain of the virus and the omicron BA.4/5 variant. Most local providers in Juneau have placed orders and are awaiting delivery. CBJ is aware of a number of local providers who are offering or plan to offer the updated booster, including Costco, SEARHC, Juneau Urgent and Family Care, the Juneau Public Health Center, Ron’s Apothecary, and Fred Meyer. Appointments for some providers can be made at juneau.org/vaccine; others must be made directly via the provider. Like other COVID-19 vaccines, the updated booster is free of charge.

CBJ, in partnership with Juneau Public Health and Bartlett Regional Hospital, plans to offer a combined COVID booster + flu vaccine clinic in early October.

In general, individuals ages 12 and up who have both completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series and who have not had a booster within the past two months are eligible for the updated booster. To determine your individual eligibility, use the “Find out when you can get your booster” tool here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Though case counts are no longer at record highs, COVID is still present in the community. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, including fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, you are encouraged to test and follow precautions to keep yourself and others safe and healthy. You can schedule a PCR test with local providers including Bartlett Regional Hospital or test at home using a rapid antigen test. Free at-home tests are available at the City Hall Cash Office, all Juneau Public Libraries, the Juneau Public Health Center, and the Juneau Police Station. (Please do not enter these locations if you are feeling sick or experiencing symptoms; it is safest to pick up your free test kits in advance.)

Visit the CBJ COVID-19 Information home page for more information on testing and vaccination in Juneau.

September 9th, 2022|