Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 505 new infections and no deaths reported Saturday through Monday

Alaska reported 505 coronavirus infections and no COVID-19-related deaths from Saturday to Monday, according to data from the Department of Health and Social Services. The state no longer updates is coronavirus dashboard on the weekends, and instead includes that data in Monday’s report.

Overall, case counts and hospitalizations in Alaska remain below what they were during a peak in November and December. However, Alaska is now experiencing a slight increase in its average daily case rate. Many regions in the state are still in the highest alert category based on their current per capita rate of infection.

Alaska’s death rate per capita is still among the lowest in the country, but the state’s size and vulnerable health care system complicate national comparisons. In total, 309 Alaskans and four nonresidents with COVID-19 have died since the pandemic reached the state last spring.

Alaska in March became the first state in the country to open vaccine eligibility to anyone 16 and older who lives or works in the state. You can visit covidvax.alaska.gov or call 907-646-3322 to sign up for a vaccine appointment; new appointments are added regularly. The phone line is staffed 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends.

By Monday, 254,923 people — about 42% of Alaskans eligible for a shot — had received at least their first dose, according to the state’s vaccine monitoring dashboard. At least 183,239 people — about 31% of Alaskans 16 and older — were considered fully vaccinated.

[Now open daily: A vaccine clinic at Dimond Center mall, with walk-ins accepted]

By Monday, there were 37 people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in hospitals throughout the state, far below a peak in late 2020 but a slight increase compared to recent weeks.

A geographic breakdown of cases reported Saturday through Monday was not immediately available.

While people might get tested more than once, each case reported by the state health department represents only one person.

The state’s data doesn’t specify whether people testing positive for COVID-19 have symptoms. More than half of the nation’s infections are transmitted from asymptomatic people, according to CDC estimates.

— Annie Berman