Although the number of cases and hospitalizations in Alaska was lower than it was during a peak in November and December, the state has experienced a slight increase in its average daily cases over the past few weeks. Many regions in the state are still in the highest alert category based on their current infection rate per capita.
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 259,419 people – about 42% of Alaskans eligible for a shot – received at least their first dose, according to the state vaccine monitoring panel. At least 189,781 people – about 32% of Alaska’s 16 and older – are considered fully vaccinated.
By Tuesday, there were 38 people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in hospitals across the state, well below a peak at the end of 2020, but a slight increase compared to recent weeks.
Of the 83 cases reported Tuesday in Alaska residents were 24 in Anchorage plus two in Eagle River and one in Girdwood; four in Valdez; two in Kenai; one in Seward; one in Sterling; two in Fairbanks plus three in the North Pole; three in Big Lake; one in Houston; five in Palmer; 20 in Wasilla; one in Douglas; and one in Juneau.
Among communities smaller than 1,000 people not named for privacy protection, there was one in the Copper River census area; one in the Mat-Su Borough; and 10 in the Bethel census area.
Two non-resident cases were also reported: one in Homer and one in Prudhoe Bay.
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.