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A health care worker prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. There’s concern that COVID-19 vaccination could be made mandatory by businesses for activities such as travel— or employment. President Joe Biden is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

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Sweeping new vaccine mandates for 100 million Americans

The order includes exceptions for workers seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

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COVID at a glance for Wednesday, Sept. 8

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

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COVID at a glance for Thursday, Sept. 9

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

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COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Sept. 7

The most recent state and local figures

Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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Lawmakers fast-track bill to aid health care hiring

Workers are strained.

A sign advertises free COVID-19 vaccines at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on July 13, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state announced a new initiative that gives newly vaccinated Alaskans an opportunity to win $49,000. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

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Newly vaccinated get chance to win cash

Incentive campaign to grant $49,000 cash and scholarship prizes to weekly winners

An ICU nurse, moves electrical cords for medical machines, outside the room of a patient suffering from COVID-19, in an intensive care unit at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer. (AP Photo/ Gerald Herbert)

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Gov amends session to allow lawmakers to tackle COVID

‘Move at the speed of trust.’

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

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COVID at a glance for Wednesday, Sept. 1

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

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COVID at a glance for Thursday, Sept. 2

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

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COVID at a glance for Friday, Sept. 3

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

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COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Aug. 31

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

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COVID at a Glance for Aug. 30

The most recent state and local figures

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the virus that causes COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies may be a good treatment option for some people who test positive for the illness, according to state health officials. However, vaccination remains the best tool for limiting spread of COVID-19 and limiting hospitalizations. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)

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Answering questions about antibody COVID treatment

Health officials say vaccination remains best option but treatment may help some.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at an Aug. 16, news conference, announced Thursday the state was taking steps to help Alaska's hospitals deal with the strain of a spike in COVID-19 cases. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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State expedites health care hiring process to help staff strained hospitals

Pandemic burnout.

Staff at Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown in this July 28 photo, are feeling stressed after 18 months of a pandemic, according to hospital CEO Rose Lawhorne, who said that depsite the challenges the hospital is still ready to provide services.

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Local officials say health infrastructure remains strong

National supplies strained.

In this file photo Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

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City announces student clinics, shares where to get 3rd shot

Clinics and more.

FILE - In this March 2, 2021, file photo, pharmacy technician Hollie Maloney loads a syringe with Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine. The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty)

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US regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

By Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone

FILE - This Jan. 29, 2014 file photo shows former Denver Broncos offensive lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth in New York. Schlereth returned home to Alaska this week to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Service High alumnus made a halftime appearance Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 at West High, where his alma mater squared off against the West Eagles. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

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Ex-NFL player Mark Schlereth urges Alaskans to get vaccine

“I just want to encourage everybody to do your part.”

The windows of the downtown branch of the Juneau Public Library tell passers-by that the city's overall COVID-19 alert level is high on August 20. City officials raised the alert level to curb the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, which has been spreading rapidly throughout Alaska, including Juneau. All three Juneau Public Libraries will have reduced hours starting Monday, August 23, as staff are reassigned to help with the pandemic response, city officials said in a news release late Friday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

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City takes action to slow spread; calls for community support

Renew your commitment, hospital official urges

The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

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Local business owners prepare to pivot

City announces increasing risk level and mitigation measures.