The state Department of Health and Social Services reports under 1,000 coronavirus cases in the COVID data update on Wednesday from Monday and Tuesday, indicating a slowdown in the case counts. The recent slowdown accounts for a 54.7% drop in percentage from peak 7-day average of January 10th to January 16th. Additionally, it’s a 29.1% drop from the prior 7-day average of January 31st through February 6th. In addition to the 863 new COVID-19 cases, the state reported 27 new deaths, but newly accounted for COVID-19 deaths are now reported weekly on Wednesdays.
53 new Alaska resident hospitalizations. There are currently 98 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who are hospitalized and six additional patients who are considered persons under investigation (PUI) for a total of 104 current COVID-related hospitalizations. Three of these patients are on ventilators. The percentage of patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 is 8.6%.
The current statewide alert level – based on the reported number of cases per 100,000 people over the past 7 days – is high (red) at 618.8. For boroughs and census areas: 28 areas are at the high alert level.
In a COVID-19 Science Echo on Wednesday, Dr. Joe McLaughlin said:
“Here’s Alaska – we had high case counts, but look, our peak occurred later than in many other states, maybe a little bit later. So we’re still seeing a higher activity than in other states in general, but we’re definitely on a steep downward trajectory, which is great.”
The DHSS notes that protective measures against the Omicron variant remain the same as for the other COVID variants. Layering protective measures, including masking, handwashing, physical distancing, and testing help to reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Using a self-test before and after travel and large gatherings is advised.
