The latest number of cases is part of a trend in Alaska of declining infections over the past two months, to a peak in November and early December that limited hospital capacity. Hospitalizations in Alaska are now less than a quarter of what they were in November and December.
By Wednesday, there were 37 people with COVID-19 in hospitals across the state, including four on ventilators. Nine more it is believed that patients have the virus.
The COVID-19 vaccine reached Alaska in mid-December. By Wednesday, 146,778 people – more than 20% of Alaska’s total population – had received at least their first vaccine shot, according to the state panel for vaccine monitoring. This is well above the national average of 13.4%.
Among Alaska 16 and older, 26% received at least one dose of vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for use in people 16 years and older, and Moderna’s has been cleared for use in people 18 and older. At least 92,630 people received both doses of the vaccine. According to a national tracker, Alaska currently has inoculated more residents per capita than any other state.
Healthcare workers and nursing home staff and residents were the first people to receive the vaccine. Alaskans over the age of 65 were eligible in early January, and this month the state extended the admission requirements to educators, people 50 and older with high-risk medical conditions, essential workers 50 and older and people living in congregations. live or work. institutions such as shelters and prisons.
Those eligible to receive the vaccine can visit covidvax.alaska.gov or call 907-646-3322 to sign up and be eligible. The telephone line is on weekdays 09: 00-18: 30 and on weekends 09: 00-16: 30.
The Matanuska-Susitna region surpassed the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta this week to record the highest average daily incidence in the state. The Mat-Su has seen 34.41 cases per 100,000 from the past 14 days as of Wednesday.
Of the 175 cases reported among Alaska residents on Wednesday, 44 were in Anchorage, three in Chugiak, seven in Eagle River and two in Girdwood; two in Cordova; one in Homer; one in Nikiski; one in Seward; 18 in Fairbanks; seven in the North Pole; 16 in Palmer; 37 in Wasilla; one in Kotzebue; three in Juneau; 10 in Ketchikan; 10 in Petersburg; and one in Skagway.
In communities of less than 1,000 people not named for privacy, there was one case in the Copper River Census Area; one in the Matanuska-Susitna district; one in the Nome census area; six in the Bethel census area; and two in the Kusilvak census area.
There were also four foreign affairs, including one in Fairbanks; one in Delta Junction; one in Unalaska; and one in an unidentified part of the state.
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.