Check back on AnchorageCOVIDTest.org for information about where the free test kits are being distributed. This weekend marks the third anniversary of the World Health Organizations declaration of the global pandemic and Juneaus wastewater is awash with COVID. 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.". The decision to scale back hours and change the messaging has to do with a contract between the city and Visit Healthcare that expired over the summer and was extended for 90 days through October for roughly $7.5 million, Anchorage Health Department director Joe Gerace said Thursday afternoon. All sites are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Every day of the. So we do want to dissuade those people from taking the space and that precious commodity for the really sick people, he said. -_aFSe\yqX Ee-^Jdp 2023 Anchorage Daily News. 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. 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 0000071598 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 with a virus surge thats recently driven cases in the city to pandemic highs. Wait times on Monday, Jan. 10, were reportedly as long as three hours. The Anchorage School District also has several walk-in test sites for students, staff and household members, but only if you are symptomatic or were a close contact. Increasing testing volume along with increased test percent positivity suggests that the increasing case counts are real and not just an artifact of testing.. 0000072894 00000 n See theCDCs latest travel guidance. 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. Pre-registrationmight save some time but is not required. 0000070617 00000 n 7711, Copyright 2021 ChangePointIntegrated Health Center. Walgreens: Theres a handful of Walgreens locations around Anchorage, making it a convenient option for some. The testing site at the Alaska Airlines Center was shut down due to mechanical problems with a collection vehicle. 0000061244 00000 n Emergency warning signs include*: *This list is not all inclusive. Just this past Monday, onAugust 9, we saw the highest level of tests administered at the drive-through sites, totaling more than 1,100. 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. tive Tests Visit Healthcare (All Sites) Changepoint Church Eagle River Elmore Fairview Recreation Center Loussac Library Muldoon Community Assembly Pop-Up Testing Sites 0 . ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Anchorage Office of Emergency Management has set up some additional COVID-19 test sites in Anchorage. 103 N. 1st Ave But Gray said that the company assured Anchorage officials it has the capacity to handle Anchorages tests. 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. 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. Testing is reimbursable by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but it has to be both fair and equitable and also comply with CDC guidelines, according to Gerace. ( Anchorage Daily News) With COVID-19 hospitalizations at near-record levels, a gathering of vaccine skeptics is coming to Anchorage. 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. Check the citys website: While its not perfect, the AnchorageCOVIDTest.org website is your best bet for up-to-date information, including details on at-home rapid test kits. -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. Community Levels and Community Case Rates. Show Low, AZ 85901, Psychiatric Inpatient Facility 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.. . The sites will be operated by Visit Healthcare, a health care company focused on emergency response, through October 20. H|W ?O|! Given recent and significant increases in testing, the funding for tests is beginning to run out, Gerace said. Call Website Do a Self Check-Up Order Masks. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Five additional COVID-19 testing sites will open Friday in the Municipality of Anchorage, the city's Emergency Operations Center announced Wednesday. Alarmingly, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are at the highest levels yet in Anchorage," said Bill Falsey, Incident Commander at the Emergency Operations Center. Send. Phone: (928) 587-3435 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 0000070091 00000 n The five testing sites will be located in the parking lots of the following: ChangePoint Church, 6689 Changepoint Drive. 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 Changepoint Church: Another long-running but busy location. The volume has gone off the hook.. Fairview Community Recreation Center, 1121 E. 10th Ave. Anchorage Church of Christ, 2700 DeBarr Road, Muldoon Community Assembly, 7041 DeBarr Road. 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. Additionally, starting Friday, Visit Healthcare will scale back hours at several sites around the city by 108 hours each week, the company said. 0000036084 00000 n 0000049517 00000 n They are currently Open for new patients. Loussac Library, 3600 Denali Street Eagle River, 11701 Business Boulevard To find municipal testing sites, locations, hours, and typical tests per hour, visit anchoragecovidtest.org. 173 79 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. And in Anchorage, many residents have recently reported trouble getting tested. [Sign up for Alaska Public Medias daily newsletter to get our top stories delivered to your inbox.]. 0000021374 00000 n For the most accurate results, follow the test instructions closely. There is no cost for the test, and people are welcome to walk up, the emergency operations center said. Two new testing sites will also open on Friday, August 28. ChangePoint offers services throughout the White Mountain area, providing a wide range of integrated behavioral health and medical care services including counseling, substance abuse treatment, psychiatry, therapeutic foster care, housing programs, vocational rehabilitation, primary medical care, and much more. The sites will be open through Oct. 20. ANCHORAGE, AK - On Friday, July 31, the Municipality of Anchorage will open five new COVID-19 testing sites. Alaska is also dealing with a new record set on Tuesday for people hospitalized with COVID-19 at one time. Cutting hours doesnt mean were cutting access for people. Employment Opportunities . Despite the lines at some locations, Lawton said there is no shortage of tests these days. Jul 30, 2020 | COVID-19, Healthcare, News, Nonprofits. The Changepoint Church and Eagle River testing cites were not open Monday due to some of the crew having to commute from Wasilla. 0000047539 00000 n 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.. The strategy sets priorities for proactive testing to improve the Municipality's ability to detect new cases of COVID-19 as early as possible and to limit wider transmission. Fairview Community Recreation Center, 1121 East 10 th Avenue. The five testing sites will be located in the parking lots of the following: The new sites will be set up for drive-thru with walk-ups welcome, and will be open Mondays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, Noon. | Alaska Insight, Litter of wolverine kits brings adorable triple threat to Alaska Zoo. 0000038945 00000 n There are several free coronavirus testing locations in Anchorage. Contact her at mkrakow@adn.com. 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. CuM^XK}]AM=DRi',!8He[HjR)6*jlysZoB8pOEchsY Dj{(:RDFiBfa),P 0000002198 00000 n The Municipality encourages anyone with even mild symptoms or who may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 to get tested. 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%'$5X2.UAYl TPxbUbDZx[aSP]YD@>jRAs,ZjPS9Yco/^2X D*;FO&Mkh$! For more COVID-19 testing information visit www.muni.org/COVID-19. Find a location where you can get a free COVID-19 test today in Anchorage, Alaska. 0000066085 00000 n The sites will also be performing regular, organized testing in congregate living facilities and for essential workers. Free at-home tests may be available locally from your city or borough government, tribal health organization, Public Health Nursing or federally qualified health centers. The tests are free to the public, and . Welcome to the homepage of ChangePoint Alaska, a church dedicated to bringing Life in Christ to Every Alaskan and the world beyond. Anyone can get tested, regardless of whether theyre showing symptoms.. State Health Department: https://www.muni.org/departments/health/Pages/default.aspx, Latest Information Received: 10/1/2020 17:22. Testing is free, regardless of residency, and no proof of insurance is required. Dec. 2Anchorage's busiest COVID-19 testing site, at the Loussac Library, closed abruptly Wednesday and was replaced at a new location operated by a different company on a nearby vacant lot. 0000047473 00000 n All rights reserved. More cases have been identified as more tests have been conducted: In June, municipal testing sites were conducting between roughly 100 and 200 tests in total each day, but by August that number began eclipsing 1,000. Were happy to entertain those requests.. 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. RELATED: Omicron wave hit Alaska this week, state health leaders say, -Try smaller sites: The Alaska Airlines Center the longest-running and highest-profile test site in Anchorage has been reporting wait times of more than two hours in recent days. We were willing to change, to help you change. 0000061582 00000 n Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage, Anchorage School District again delays the start of sports, Alaska to stop testing nonresident travelers for COVID-19 at airports, require negative result, Two Anchorage police officers indicted, suspended in alleged assault of man who frequently recorded police, Inequity in alcohol enforcement in Mertarvik and Newtok causes frustration, Army grounds aviators for training after fatal crashes in Alaska and Kentucky, How do electric vehicles perform in Alaska? . The new locations are intended to supplement an existing drive-thru testing site at 4115 Lake Otis Parkway thats operated by Providence Health & Services Alaska. Part of the reason is the companys ability to do testing, said Audrey Gray, with the citys Emergency Operations Center. Here are some testing programs to know about: If you have COVID-19 symptoms and cannot find testing, stay home. Wait times on Monday, Jan. 10, were reportedly as long as three hours. Loussac Library 3600 Denali St Changepoint Church 6689 Changepoint Dr . Reach him at ltreinen@gmail.com. Holbrook, AZ 86025, 2500 E. Show Low Lake Rd Testing may be required or recommended before and/or after travel. 1920 W. Commerce Drive Morgan Krakow covers education and general assignments for the Anchorage Daily News. Anchorage Testing Counts and Trends The full AHD Weekly Health Metrics Report can be found here . Whether you are a client, community member, partner, or staff, ChangePoint is committed to being that place where change can begin. You can unsubscribe anytime. Contact her at mkrakow@adn.com. Fully vaccinated means people are two weeks past their final dose of the vaccine. 0000071089 00000 n Some people don't have any symptoms at all and feel completely well but are still contagious. 0000071352 00000 n Phone: (928) 368-4110 (More details on specific locations below.). We offer hope for change, new beginnings, and personal growth to those we serve. The site announced it will be open 24 hours a day beginning on Monday, Jan. 17 at 7 a.m. Changepoint Church: Another long-running but busy location. The percentage of tests coming back positive has long been cited by health officials as a way to gauge whether communities are doing enough testing. We invite you to write a letter to the editor or reach out directly if youd like to communicate with us about a particular article. By Thursday, state data showed that number had risen to roughly 10% of tests returning positive results. So that has been what prompted this change.. 0000070695 00000 n The changes stem from a steep rise in the number of people seeking tests and a lack of funds to pay for those tests, a city health official said Thursday. So far this month, the citys drive-through sites are averaging about 750 tests per day, said Christy Lawton, the Municipalitys Public Health Division manager. You can call or visit them anytime Mondays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays 8AM-7PM Fridays, 8AM-7PM. 0000031583 00000 n Loussac Library, 3600 Denali Street. The states guidelines for asymptomatic and unvaccinated people may include testing for routine screening as required by local communities, when admitted to health care facility, residents and staff in certain healthcare settings and workers in congregate settings. Address: 5000 W International Airport Rd. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 but do not have symptoms, test 5 days after the exposure. 0000038832 00000 n . Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself. 0000072544 00000 n 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. 0000058734 00000 n Prevention. 0000071451 00000 n Lawton cites a number of factors driving the demand, including the delta variant, vaccination rates still low enough to allow the virus to spread, and concern about breakthrough cases. The strategy sets priorities for proactive testing to improve the Municipalitys ability to detect new cases of COVID-19 as early as possible and to limit wider transmission. Alaska Public Media 2023. Thanks.]. Test immediately if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Increased testing capacity leads to quicker identification of cases and more effective disease containment. 0000071034 00000 n Referral from a clinician is not required at the five new locations. On Friday, July 31, the Municipality of Anchorage will open five new COVID-19 testing sites. While theres no avoiding a wait, here are a few tips that can help you save some time. Here are some testing programs to know about: Order free at-home tests online or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). The sites are set to be open three days a week, including Mondays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Fridays from noon to 8 p.m. Capstone at C Street: This site has gotten a lot more traffic in the last few days, but wait times have generally still been shorter than at the Alaska Airlines Center. These sites are made possible by the willingness of local churches and municipal agencies to support the effort to contain community spread by promoting and increasing testing capacity. Municipal testing sites include: ChangePoint Church, 6689 Changepoint Drive Muldoon Community Assembly, 7041 Debarr Road Z.J. If you are symptomatic, you can call 907-694-9567 and staff will come out and test you in a parked vehicle. Lingit Aani Kaa Kei Nas.ax Haa Yoo Xatangi, Juneau's wastewater has four times as much COVID as the national average, Alaska legislators on guard after multiple COVID cases are confirmed in the Capitol, COVID test kits, treatments and vaccines won't be free to many consumers much longer. 0000077852 00000 n As a matter of fact we were formerly Conroe Christian Center, but God recently changed our name to Change Pointe Church. Our community started with a . The five sites are in addition to the existing Lake Otis Parkway testing location operated by Providence Health & Services Alaska. 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%. Established in 1989. 0000035846 00000 n Fax: (928) 368-4112, 2550 E. Show Low Lake Rd We believe that church is about people not programs. 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. The state also lists limited testing of asymptomatic vaccinated persons, and recommends that people who are fully vaccinated against the virus and who are not showing symptoms or had recent exposure be exempted from routine screening programs if possible. ;qB.q$oRb{`gZ+I^e~k'|~_7ov5hkf}~g_t}O~{"xl=;-?0"eAW_W{CNSo_]ob=Uz6}#}=:w~ge/6gmmKue~ma7JW~goz.~|0gZqThyyPEo7_^bsX@F*x4+~=6Ru=-17L-sBLyZ&A[@ 1y8'tb;;nDep7lkTnNp;PLmm0C}]F[4X -7)1#&Bhuz;s nCsMLQZvjwC*lB50l@>V>Vq 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. Locations of COVID-19 test sites: ChangePoint Church ( 6689 Changepoint Drive) It might be best to make this site a last resort. An omicron-fueled spike in COVID-19 cases is gripping Alaska. Emily Oestreicher, chief development officer for Visit Healthcare, said in an email that the decision to scale back hours and change testing protocols was made by the city and wasnt a result of shortages in testing resources. 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. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.. He was previously the director of operations at Visit Healthcare. 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.. A health care professional may ask you to get tested in certain situations. 0000038210 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. 0000002375 00000 n Status: Open Alaska Business 2023 The testing sites will be open Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Lex Treinen is covering the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for Alaska Public Media. Chelsea Ward-Waller, a spokeswoman for the health department, highlighted that the earlier note at the top of the testing website used the term should.. 2023 Anchorage Daily News. On Friday, July 31, the Municipality of Anchorage will open five new COVID-19 testing sites. She said the department was not excluding anyone from those testing sites. If youre lucky, you might be able to snag one from a local pharmacy for about $30, though theyve been selling out quickly. 0000000016 00000 n Phone: (928) 524-6126. 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 0000028928 00000 n director of operations at Visit Healthcar. The sites will be open Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays and open for walk-up or drive-through. The percentage of positive cases is also climbing. Sunday Services Healing Prayer and Personal Prayer: Call the church office (845) 452-6007 x201 or message us on Facebook Subscribe for weekly announcements and special updates: Location: 260 Mill Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Visit Healthcare runs many of the primary testing locations in the city, including those at the Loussac Library, Changepoint Church, Muldoon Community Assembly and the Eagle River site.