Alaska reports 35% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations from last week

The number of people sick enough to be hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alaska rose by more than 35% this week compared to last as reported cases decreased slightly.

Here are a few main takeaways from the latest data available from the state Department of Health and Social Services:

• By Wednesday, there were 61 COVID-positive patients hospitalized around Alaska, a significant increase from the 45 reported by the state a week earlier. Just under 5% of Alaska’s hospital patients were COVID-positive. Current hospital counts are still well below all-time peaks, but on the rise.

• The state reported 2,452 cases in Alaska over a seven-day period, a slight decrease from 2,872 cases reported last week. This week’s total includes 1,904 cases among residents and averages out to just over 350 cases per day. That data doesn’t include at-home tests.

• Alaska’s seven-day new case rate per 100,000 people rose from 15th highest to seventh highest in the nation this week, according to a CDC tracker. Nationally, cases are increasing slightly.

• The regions with the highest seven-day case rates included the Copper River Census Area, Yakutat plus Hoonah-Angoon region, the City and Borough of Juneau, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the Prince of Wales and Hyder Census Area — all at more than 400 cases per 100,000 people.

• The state reported no new deaths linked to the virus. In total, 1,252 COVID-19 deaths among residents and 34 among nonresidents have been reported since March 2020.

• According to Alaska’s coronavirus variant dashboard, the majority of the most recent cases were the BA.2 omicron subvariant.

• Across the state, 65.3% of eligible Alaskans as well as military personnel had completed their primary vaccine series. About 30.9% of eligible Alaskans were considered up-to-date on their vaccinations with at least one booster.