According to government officials, there was a woman from Kodiak and a man from Soldotna. They were both in their 70s.
Although higher than in previous days, the numbers on Wednesday were part of a trend of fewer cases reported in recent weeks following a surge in November to early December. Coronavirus-related hospitalizations are also declining. Health officials say an order in Anchorage moving to a less restricted phase on Friday played a role in the decline, as well as voluntary action by people in the state.
A total of 202 Alaskans and one non-resident with COVID-19 have died since the pandemic began here in March. Alaska’s overall death toll per capita is among the lowest in the country, but officials believe the state’s large geography and vulnerable health care system make it difficult to compare with other states.
Alaska received its first consignments of COVID-19 vaccine in mid-December. Healthcare workers in the hospital, emergency personnel and residents and staff at long-term care facilities were prioritized to receive the first doses. Government officials are expected to announce the next phase of vaccination on Thursday.
Around the state, 69 Alaskans with COVID-19 have been hospitalized since Wednesday, and four more are suspected to have the virus. Nearly 10% of adults in Alaska hospitals have COVID-19.
Hospitalizations have been declining nationwide over the past few weeks. In Anchorage, where the sickest patients are treated regularly, there were 14 intensive care units out of 65 available, which put the indicator in the red zone indicating less than 25% of capacity.
Of the 368 infections reported among Alaska residents Wednesday, 113 were in Anchorage, plus four in Chugiak and 29 in Eagle River; one in Kenai, one in Nikiski, and four in Soldotna; 12 in Kodiak; five in Cordova; 23 in Fairbanks and four in the North Pole; one in Tok; two in Big Lake, 25 in Palmer, 69 in Wasilla and one in Willow; one in Nome; eight in Utqiagvik; five in Juneau; three in Ketchikan; two in Unalaska; 14 in Bethel; and three in Chevak.
Among communities smaller than 1,000 people who do not protect privacy, there was one in the southern Kenai Peninsula; five in Chugach Census Area; two in the Copper River census area; two in Fairbanks North Star Borough; one in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area; one in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area; one in the census area of Nome; three in the Northern Slope City; one in the Prince of Wales-Hyder census area; 19 in Bethel Census Area; and two in the Dillingham census area.
Six cases have been reported among non-residents, including two in Anchorage, one in Soldotna and three in places under investigation.
Although people can be tested more than once, each case reported by the state health department represents only one person.
It is not clear how many people who tested positive for the virus show symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about a third of people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic.
The positive percentage of the nationwide test on Wednesday was 4.82% above an average of seven days. Health experts say anything above 5% could indicate inadequate testing and possibly widespread community transmission. The state peaked at more than 9% in mid-November.