Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 197 new cases reported Monday, no new deaths

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Alaska reported 197 new cases of COVID-19 in Alaska on Monday and no new deaths, according to the Department of Health and Social Services COVID-19 dashboard.

The report marked a drop from record highs set Saturday and Sunday, when 249 cases were reported. State officials warn high daily counts are expected to continue due to broad community spread of the virus, especially in Anchorage, Fairbanks and northern communities.

The high numbers Monday marked the 19th straight day that Alaska cases have tipped into triple digits, soaring past a surge in July.

Sixty Alaskans have died with COVID-19 since the pandemic began here in March. Still, the state’s death rate per 100,000 residents remained the lowest in the country.

Statewide as of Monday, 36 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 while 16 other hospital patients were awaiting test results, according to state data.

Separately, the City and Borough of Juneau reported 17 new cases confirmed over the weekend and Monday. Seven of the 17 are linked to other cases among Juneau’s vulnerable or unstably housed population, bringing that cluster total to 21 so far.

An outbreak in Anchorage’s homeless population has led to 293 confirmed positive cases and three deaths, municipal officials said Friday.

Of the new cases reported by the state Monday, it wasn’t clear how many patients were showing symptoms of the virus when they tested positive.

Of the 191 new cases of COVID-19 involving residents, 108 were in Anchorage including two in Chugiak and eight in Eagle River; one was in Kenai; one was in Cordova; 42 were in Fairbanks and five were in North Pole; six were in Palmer and four were in Wasilla; one was in Nome; six were in Utqiagvik; six were in Kotzebue; and three were in Juneau.

Among communities smaller than 1,000 not identified to protect confidentiality, there was one case in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area; one in the Northwest Arctic Borough; and three in the Bethel Census Area.

There were six nonresident cases reported Monday: two in Anchorage; one in Haines; and three classified as unknown locations.

The state’s test positivity rate as of Monday was 4.6% over a seven-day rolling average. The rate reflects the number of positive results divided by total tests performed. Health officials say levels over 5% may indicate communities aren’t doing enough testing.

-- Zaz Hollander