One new death related to COVID-19 was reported Friday involving an Anchorage resident. A total of 302 Alaskans and four non-residents with COVID-19 have died since the pandemic hit the state in March. Alaska’s death toll per capita is still among the lowest in the country, but the state’s size and vulnerable health care system make national comparisons difficult.
Although the number of cases and hospitalizations in Alaska is much lower than it was during the peak in November and December, the overall decline in cases has been similar over the past few weeks and many regions of the state are still in the highest alert category based on their current infection rate per capita. The Matanuska-Susitna district currently has the highest two-week business rate in the state at 39.74 cases per 100,000.
Public health officials continue to encourage Alaskans to keep up with personal virus mitigation efforts such as hand washing, mask wear, social distance and to be tested if it is symptomatic or exposed to someone with COVID-19.
By Friday, there were 32 people with COVID-19 in hospitals across the state, well below a peak at the end of 2020. Four more patients had test results pending.
By Friday 187 069 people – about 26% of Alaska’s population – received at least their first vaccine shot, according to the state vaccine monitoring panel. This is above the national average of 19%. At least 128,434 people received both doses of the vaccine.
Of the 112 cases identified among Alaska residents Friday, there were 38 in Anchorage plus four in Chugiak and two in Eagle River; one in Homer; two in Kenai; one in Soldotna; one in Kodiak; five in Fairbanks; ses in Delta Junction; three in Big Lake; eight in Palmer; and 38 in Wasilla.
Among smaller communities that do not protect their privacy, there was one in the Southeast Fairbanks Census area; one in the Noordhellingstad; and one in the Kusilvak census area.
One new case abroad has also been identified in Anchorage.
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 the tests done in the past week, 2.52% came back positive.
Note: the state is no longer updating the coronavirus dashboard over the weekend, but includes the data in Monday’s report.