Alaska reports 772 COVID-19 cases over last 3 days; only 2 adult ICU beds available in Anchorage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The rate of COVID-19 in Alaska continues to decline, with fewer than 800 new cases reported over the past three days.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 772 COVID-19 cases on Monday — 418 on Friday, 232 on Saturday and 122 on Sunday. Of those, 22 cases are among nonresidents. Alaska’s number of new cases has been steadily declining since January. State case data shows a 29% decrease in cases this past week compared to the week of Feb. 14-20.

While cases have been in decline, Alaska is still one of the states with a higher rate of new COVID-19 cases per capita. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows Alaska has the sixth-highest rate of new cases among all U.S. states, with a rate of 356.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over the last week.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alaska is down to 76 on Monday compared to 84 on Friday. According to the state’s hospital dashboard, there are three patients currently on a ventilator, and 6.2% of all people hospitalized in Alaska are being hospitalized with COVID-19.

Statewide, 26 adult intensive care unit beds are still left open, with just two available in Anchorage.

The rate of vaccination in Alaska is still moving relatively slowly, with 63.8% of eligible Alaska residents, veterans and military members now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 71% having gotten at least an initial vaccine dose. State vaccine data shows that 26.5% of eligible Alaskans have received a booster shot, while 26.3% are considered overdue for a booster.

Since the pandemic began in Alaska, the state has recorded a total of 1,130 Alaska resident deaths and 33 nonresident deaths that have been related to COVID-19. The state health department only reports COVID-19 deaths on Wednesdays.

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