The number of new cases marks a generally positive downward trend in daily counts. But higher counts have been reported in the Fairbanks area, as well as in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, where limited health capacity poses a challenge.
In total, 217 Alaskans and a non-resident with COVID-19 have died since the pandemic hit the state in March. Alaska’s per capita mortality rate is among the lowest in the country, although the size of the state and the vulnerable health system complicate national comparisons.
Beginning this week, Alaska began adding probable deaths from people with the virus, as determined by medical providers, in addition to those established by a laboratory result. Three deaths in previous months, all people aged 80 and over, were added to the state total.
Health officials say they are still concerned about the post-holiday increase in new cases.
The number of hospitalizations related to the virus fell from high levels in early December. Seventy-five people with COVID-19 were in the hospital on Tuesday and another 10 people in the hospital were suspected of having the virus, the health department said.
The state continues with the early launch of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Monday, 18,266 people had received the vaccine, according to the state’s vaccine panel, which will be updated on Wednesday. Eligible people are now generally healthcare professionals.
After several days of confusion, state officials announced on Monday that residents aged 65 and over could start scheduling vaccination appointments on Wednesday and receive vaccines next week ahead of schedule. This group should not receive vaccines until the end of January.
The state updated the status of COVID-19 on the Pioneer Home system on Tuesday. Since late December, Anchorage Pioneer Home has identified a new case in a team member. Since the outbreak began on November 3, there have been a total of 30 residents and 17 employee cases and three deaths.
Fairbanks Pioneer Home identified two new cases among employees. No resident tested positive at any of the facilities. The other four houses – Juneau, Ketchikan, Palmer and Sitka – have no cases, officials say.
Of the 203 new infections reported on Tuesday among Alaskan residents, there were 57 in Anchorage, three more in Chugiak and three in Girdwood; 32 in Fairbanks and 10 at the North Pole; 27 in Wasilla and eight in Palmer; 14 at Bethel; three in Kenai, two in Soldotna, two in Seward, one in Nikiski, one in Homer and one in Sterling; three in Kodiak; one in Tok; one in Utqiagvik; two in Kotzebue; one in Juneau; three in Ketchikan; one in Petersburg; two in Sitka; two in Unalaska; and two in Hooper Bay.
Among communities with less than 1,000 unnamed people to protect privacy, there were 13 in the Bethel Census Area; five at North Slope Borough; one in the Northwest Arctic; one in the Yakutat plus Hoonah-Angoon region; and one in the Kusilvak census area.
There were three cases among non-residents reported on Tuesday, all with the site under investigation.
Although people can be tested more than once, each case reported by the state health department represents only one person.
State data does not specify whether people who test positive for COVID-19 have symptoms. More than half of the country’s infections are transmitted by asymptomatic people, according to CDC estimates.
The statewide test positivity rate on Tuesday was 5.16% over an average of seven days. Health officials say anything above 5% could indicate inadequate testing and widespread transmission in the community. The state reached a peak of positivity of more than 9% in November.