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 are now less than a quarter of what they were in November and December.
By Thursday, there were 41 people with COVID-19 in hospitals across the state, including five on ventilators. Four more it is believed that patients have the virus.
The COVID-19 vaccine reached Alaska in mid-December. According to Thursday, 149,992 people – 21% of Alaska’s total population – received at least their first vaccine shot, according to the state panel for vaccine monitoring. This is well above the national average of 13.6%.
Among Alaska 16 and older, 27% 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 95,257 people received both doses of the vaccine. According to a national tracker, Alaska currently has vaccinated 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 community institutions. such as shelters and prisons. On Wednesday, officials said people helping Alaskans 65 and older get vaccinated are now eligible to get a vaccine.
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.
While most regions of the state have declined, the Matanuska-Susitna region has recently seen an increase in new infections, surpassing 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 149 cases reported Thursday among Alaska residents, 31 were in Anchorage, plus two in Chugiak, two in Eagle River and three in Girdwood; 11 in Cordova; one in Soldotna; one in Esther; 23 in Fairbanks plus four in the North Pole; one in Delta Junction; ten in Palmer; four in Sutton-Alpine; 32 in Wasilla; one in Nome; one in Juneau; seven in Ketchikan; and 10 in Petersburg;
In communities smaller than 1,000 people who do not protect their privacy, there was one in the Prince of Wales and Hyder census area; two in the Bethel census area; and one in Dillingham.
There were also 41 foreign affairs, including one in Anchorage, one in Fairbanks, one in the Matanuska-Susitna district, one in Juneau, 34 in Unalaska and three in an unknown region 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.