Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 81 total cases and 1 death reported for Tuesday and Wednesday

Alaska on Wednesday reported 81 new coronavirus infections and one COVID-19-related death identified over two days, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services. The health department now updates its coronavirus dashboard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Alaska’s average daily case counts have increased slightly over the last week, but the state’s current statewide alert level remains low.

By Wednesday, roughly 54% of the state’s population age 12 and older had received at least their first dose of the vaccine while 49% of residents 12 and older were considered fully vaccinated.

Also by Wednesday, there were 16 people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 hospitalized around the state, including four who are on ventilators.

The newly reported death, identified through a review of death certificates, involved an Anchorage man older than 80. In total, 367 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.

Of the 75 cases recorded Tuesday and Wednesday among Alaskans, 25 were from Anchorage; 14 from Hooper Bay; nine from Wasilla; four from Unalaska; three from Eagle River; two from the Bethel Census Area; two from Big Lake; two from Chugiak; two from the Copper River Census Area; two from Fairbanks; two from Homer; two from North Pole; and one each from Bethel, Juneau, Kenai, Seward, Sitka and Soldotna.

Six cases were identified among nonresidents, including one each in Wasilla, Fairbanks, Kenai, Ketchikan, Unalaska and a location under investigation.

— Annie Berman

[Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the state on Wednesday reported a virus-related death identified through a review of death certificates.]