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 pulled up in recent weeks. Many regions in the state are still in the highest alert category based on their current infection rate per capita.
So far, at least 75 cases of five coronavirus variants have been identified through testing and sequencing efforts in Alaska, according to the state’s latest weekly report. 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.
By Thursday, 263 475 people – 43% of Alaskans eligible for a shot – have received at least their first dose, according to the state vaccine monitoring panel. At least 198,262 people – about 33% of Alaska’s 16 and older – are considered fully vaccinated.
By Thursday, there were 41 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 222 cases reported Thursday in Alaska residents, 69 were in Anchorage plus two in Chugiak and 10 in Eagle River; five in Valdez; one in Anchor Point; four in Kenai; one in Nikiski; four in Soldotna; two in Sterling; three in Kodiak; 19 in Fairbanks plus 16 in the North Pole; one in Houston; 16 in Palmer; 41 in Wasilla; one in Nome; one in Douglas; four in Juneau; and two in Sitka.
Among communities smaller than 1,000 people not named for privacy, there were two in the northern Kenai Peninsula district; one in the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area; six in the Mat-Su Borough; two in the Northwest North Pole area; four in the Bethel census area; and five in the Kusilvak census area.
Five cases were also reported in non-residents: one in Valdez, one in Wasilla, one in Juneau and two 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.
Of all tests conducted in the past week, 3.18% returned positive.