Although the number of cases and hospitalizations in Alaska was lower than it was during a peak in November and December, the state’s average daily case rate has increased over the past few weeks. Most regions in the state are still in the highest alert category based on their current infection rate per capita.
Health officials continue to encourage Alaskans to wear face masks in public, avoid large gatherings, wash their hands regularly and be vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent further spread.
In March, Alaska became the first state in the country to be eligible for vaccine for anyone 16 years and older living or working in the state. You can visit covidvax.alaska.gov or call 907-646-3322 to sign up for a vaccine appointment; new appointments are added regularly. The telephone line is manned on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:30 and on weekends from 09:00 to 16:30.
Teen Tuesday 270,960 people – about 44% of Alaskans eligible for a shot – received at least their first dose, according to the state’s vaccination monitoring panel. At least 214,562 people – about 36% of Alaska’s 16 and older – are considered fully vaccinated.
By Tuesday, there were 54 people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in hospitals across the state, well below a peak at the end of 2020, but part of a slight increase over the past few weeks.
Of the 135 cases reported in Alaska residents, 48 were in Anchorage, plus three in Eagle River; 33 in Wasilla; 18 in Palmer; nine in Fairbanks; four in Kenai; two in Soldotna; one in Healy; three in the North Pole; one in Tok; one in Houston; one in Juneau; two in Ketchikan; one in Sitka; two in Wrangell; and one in Unalaska.
Among communities smaller than 1,000 people not named for privacy, there was one in the Copper River census area; two in the Kusilvak census area; one in Bristol Bay plus the lake and the peninsula; and one in the Dillingham census area.
There were also 21 cases among non-residents: 20 in Unalaska and one in Homer.
Although people can be tested more than once, each case reported by the state health department represents only one person.
The state’s data does not determine whether people who are positive for COVID-19 have symptoms. According to CDC estimates, more than half of the country’s infections are transmitted by asymptomatic people.