Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 194 new resident infections reported Monday, a record

The state Monday reported a new daily high of 194 new cases of COVID-19 in Alaskans, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services COVID-19 dashboard.

No new deaths were reported. In total, 58 Alaskans have died with COVID-19 since the pandemic began here in March.

Of the 197 cases total reported Monday, all but three were in Alaskans -- a single-day record for for residents. The previous high was around 185 and set in late July. At the time, officials said data backlogs combined with seafood industry outbreaks contributed to high daily case numbers. Now officials say the state’s high case numbers are due to community spread in numerous places, particularly Anchorage, Fairbanks and Northwest Alaska.

Monday also marked the 12th day in a row that Alaska has seen new daily case tallies exceeding 100 — the longest such streak since the start of the pandemic.

[Related: Alaska’s coronavirus cases are hitting new highs. A summer surge didn’t turn into a crisis. Will this one?]

Statewide as of Sunday, 33 people with COVID-19 were hospitalized, while another 12 were awaiting test results.

It wasn’t clear how many of the people involved in the new cases reported Monday were showing symptoms of the virus when they tested positive.

Of the 194 new cases of COVID-19 involving residents, 116 were in Anchorage including four in Chugiak and 10 in Eagle River; one was in Kenai and one in Soldotna; two were in Kodiak; 40 were in Fairbanks and 15 were in North Pole; two were in Palmer and six were in Wasilla; two were in Juneau; and one was in Bethel.

Among communities smaller than 1,000 not identified to protect confidentiality, there was one case in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, one in Nome Census Area, one in Northwest Arctic Borough, one in Yakutat plus Hoonah-Angoon, three in Bethel Census Area, and one in Kusilvak Census Area.

Of three nonresident cases reported Monday, one was in Anchorage, one was in Mat-Su, and one was in Fairbanks North Star Borough.

The state’s test positivity rate as of Monday was 4.19% over a seven-day rolling average, the highest it’s been since the start of the pandemic. 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