Alaska on Friday reports 621 cases of COVID-19 over 2 days

• Alaska on Friday reported 617 cases of COVID-19 among residents and four among nonresidents over a two-day period.

• By Friday, there were 39 COVID-positive patients hospitalized statewide, down significantly from 51 as of Wednesday. Just around 3% of Alaska’s hospital patients have COVID-19, and three people are on ventilators.

• The state reports COVID-related deaths only on Wednesdays. Since the pandemic began two years ago, 1,168 Alaskans and 33 nonresidents have died from the virus.

• Even though cases have fallen, Alaska’s seven-day new case rate per 100,000 is currently the second-highest in the nation, according to a CDC tracker. Cases reported earlier this week were higher than expected due to a reporting backlog from a major testing site in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. The number was not a reflection of a surge or current case activity in that region.

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• Alaska’s omicron wave began and peaked a few weeks behind that of other states but has been on a steep downward trajectory in recent weeks.

• As of Friday 64% of eligible Alaskans had completed their primary vaccine series. About 32.6% of Alaska residents age 5 and older are considered up to date on their vaccinations, meaning they’ve received a booster or have completed their vaccine series and are not yet due to receive a booster shot.