Cases of new viruses, hospital admissions and deaths have been on the rise across the state for weeks, but the number of daily cases is low this week.
Together since the outbreak began here in March, a total of 182 Alaskans and one with COVID-19 have died ineffective. Alaska has the lowest per capita overall mortality rate in the country, but officials say the state’s vast geography and poor health care system complicate matters compared to other states.
As of Friday, there were 122 people across the state with COVID-19 and eight others in hospitals suspected of having the virus. Overall, 14.3% of hospitalized adults in Alaska had covid-19.
The beds in the 31-employee adult intensive care unit were left open. At Anchorage, where most of the state’s sickest patients end up, there were 70 intensive care unit beds available.
While expanded hospital staffing is a matter of considerable concern, health and hospital officials say staffing and prescribed procedures may change to enhance facilities.
State model Dells suggests the new infection curve is flat, although officials caution that precautions such as masking and social distance should be taken as soon as possible to relax. He says one reason for the drop could be the month-long revised hunker down order of anchorage to protect the hospital’s capacity.
“We’re not out of the woods yet, but hopefully,” said Dr. Anchor, a medical officer with the Health Department. Said Bruce Chandler.
This week also marks the state’s first COVID-19 vaccination for hospital and front line workers. It is not clear when the general public will get access to the vaccine, but health officials say it happens in late spring or late summer.
Heather Harris, director of the Anchorage Health Department, told a media briefing on Friday that those who receive shots now will be fully protected by the end of January.
“This means that in order to remain safe, even the most sensitive, it is serious that we hold on for the next two to three months.”
Of the 5,485 new cases reported to Alaskan residents on Friday, 14 were in Anchorage, eight in Eagle River, four in Chugiak and two in Girdwood. 65 at Fairbank and 22 at the North Pole; 40 in Wasila, 20 in Palmer, two in Willow and one in Meadow Lakes; 25 in Kenai, 18 in Soldotna, five in Nikiski, four in Homer, four in Seward and one in Sterling; 17 in Kodiak; 16 in Utkiagvik; Nine in Juneau; Six in the coin; Four at Bethel; Two at Delta Junction; Two in Haynes; Two in Craig; In a ketchup; One in Valdez; One in Chevak; One in Rangel; And one of the unfamiliar community.
In communities of less than 1,000 unnamed to protect privacy, there were two on the northern Kenai Peninsula; One in the Valdez-Cordova census area; Two in Denali Borough; Five in Fairbanks North Star Borough; One of the southeastern Fairbanks census area; Two in the Yukon-Koyukuk census area; One of the Matanuska-Susitna boroughs; And three in the Bethel census area.
Of the 10 new cases reported to non-residents, two occurred in Unalaska, one in Fairbank and seven in an undisclosed area of the state.
While people can be tested more than once, each case reported by the state health department represents only one person.
It is not clear how many of those who tested positive were showing symptoms. The CDC estimates that about a third of people with coronavirus infection are asymptomatic.
The statewide test positivity rate was.9% last week after peaking at more than 9% in mid-November. Health officials say a positive rate above %% could indicate improper testing and a potentially widespread community transition.
– Zaz Hollander and Anne Burman
