Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 86 cases and 3 deaths reported Tuesday and Wednesday

Alaska on Wednesday reported 86 new coronavirus infections identified over the last two days, plus three COVID-19-related deaths, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services. The health department now updates its coronavirus dashboard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The three deaths, which occurred recently, involved a woman from the Prince of Wales and Hyder Census Area in her 50s; a Wasilla man who was 80 or older; and an Anchorage man in his 70s.

In total, 370 Alaskans and seven nonresidents with COVID-19 have died since the pandemic reached the state last spring. Alaska’s death rate per capita remains among the lowest in the country, though the state’s size, health care system and other factors complicate national comparisons.

Some areas of the state are starting to see a slight uptick in case rates, including the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, which is currently in the high alert category, and Anchorage, which this week moved to the intermediate alert level. However, the state’s overall alert level remains low. Health officials continue to encourage Alaskans to get vaccinated against the virus, noting that the vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing illness from the virus, including the more contagious variants.

By Wednesday, roughly 55% of the state’s population age 12 and older had received at least their first dose of the vaccine while 50% of residents 12 and older were considered fully vaccinated. Among all states, Alaska ranked No. 29 in the country for most vaccinated residents per capita.

There were 15 people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 hospitalized around the state, including five who were on ventilators.

The 79 newly reported cases among Alaska residents include 52 people from Anchorage, seven from Hooper Bay, seven from Wasilla, two from Juneau, two from Nome and one each from Eagle River, Ketchikan, Palmer, Sitka, Utqiagvik and Willow. Among smaller communities, there was one each from the Bethel Census Area, the Chugach Census Area and the northern Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Another seven cases were reported among nonresidents: six from Anchorage and one from Soldotna.

Of all the coronavirus tests completed in the state over the last week, 1.24% came back positive.

— Annie Berman