The latest count follows more than a month of declining cases. Alaska saw an outbreak of infections in November and early December that hampered the hospital’s capacity. For the first time since September, the daily case count dropped to double digits twice last week.
Hospitalizations dropped along with cases, and are now less than a third from where they were during the peak in November and December. As of Friday, there were 40 people with COVID-19 in hospitals across the state. Another three patients were considered to have the virus.
The COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Alaska in mid-December. On Thursday, 101,631 – nearly 14% of Alaska’s total population – received at least their first vaccine injection, according to the state’s vaccine monitoring panel. This is well above the national average of 8.4%.
Among Alaskans aged 16 and over, 18% received at least one dose of the vaccine by Friday. The Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for use in people aged 16 and over, and Moderna has been approved for use in people aged 18 and over.
Health professionals and employees of nursing homes and residents were the first people prioritized to receive the vaccine. In early January, the state said Alaskans over 65 are now eligible, although appointment slots are limited and filled quickly.
Thousands of new vaccine appointments were posted on the state’s website last week, many of which are still available. Seniors and other qualified healthcare professionals can call 907-646-3322 for assistance in making an appointment.
Despite lower numbers throughout January, Alaska is still in the highest alert category based on the current rate of infection per capita, and public health officials continue to encourage Alaskans to monitor personal mitigation efforts. viruses, like washing your hands and wearing masks and social detachment.
Of the 163 cases announced among Alaskan residents on Friday, there were 41 in Anchorage and three in Eagle River; one at Anchor Point; one at Seward; one in Soldotna; one in Cordoba; 13 in Fairbanks plus one at the North Pole; one in Delta Junction; 17 in Palmer; 33 in Wasilla; six at Juneau; four in Ketchikan; one in Sitka; and six at Bethel.
Among communities with populations under 1,000 unidentified to protect privacy, there were two in the Matanuska-Susitna neighborhood, one in the eastern neighborhood of Aleutas; 23 in the Bethel Census Area; one in the Dillingham census area; and six in the Kusilvak Census Area.
There were also 87 cases among non-Alaska residents, including two in Anchorage, 80 in the eastern Aleutians district; and five in Unalaska.
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.