Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 91 cases and no deaths reported over the weekend

Alaska on Monday reported 91 new coronavirus infections and no COVID-19-related deaths identified over the last three days, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services. The health department now updates its coronavirus dashboard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Last week, Alaska’s average daily case counts increased slightly; however, the state’s current statewide alert level remains low. Health officials continue to encourage Alaskans to get vaccinated against the virus, noting that the vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing illness from the virus, including the more contagious variants.

By Monday, roughly 55% of the state’s population age 12 and older had received at least their first dose of the vaccine while 50% of residents 12 and older were considered fully vaccinated. Among all states, Alaska ranked No. 29 in the country for most vaccinated residents per capita.

[As a potent coronavirus variant rises, US vaccine plan targets the ‘movable middle’]

There were 11 people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 hospitalized around the state, including four who were on ventilators.

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.

The 81 newly reported cases among Alaska residents include 39 in Anchorage, 14 in Hooper Bay, four in Palmer, four in Wasilla, three in Eagle River, two in Juneau, two in Sitka and one each in Bethel, Homer, Kenai and Unalaska. Among residents of smaller communities, there were four in the Bethel Census Area, two in the Nome Census Area, two in the North Slope Borough and one in the Northwest Arctic Borough.

Another 10 cases were reported among nonresidents: four in Unalaska, three in Anchorage, two in Fairbanks and one in Wasilla.

Of all the coronavirus tests completed in the state over the last week, 1.16% came back positive.

— Annie Berman