COVID-19 cases have been on the rise since the delta variant of the coronavirus had been first detected in Alaska. On Wednesday, Alaska reported over 500 new coronavirus cases along with two new deaths from the virus. The state Department of Health and Social Services reported 526 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday from over the previous two days. Officials say a whopping 376 of those cases were reported in a single day.
Across the Kenai Peninsula, Kenai reported 9 additional cases, Soldotna 8, Kenai Peninsula Borough North 5, Kenai Peninsula Borough South 4, Seward 4, and Sterling 4. Additionally, there were 2 nonresident cases reported in Seward and one nonresident case reported in Soldotna. Of the two recent deaths, one was of a Soldotna male resident in his 70s.
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink in Wednesday’s Public Health Science ECHO:
“Here’s some data from Alaska specifically, again, in Alaska hospitalizations since January 1st, 97% of our deaths have been in unvaccinated individuals. 3% have been in vaccinated. Same with hospitalizations, 94% of the hospitalizations have been in unvaccinated individuals.”
Zink also said:
“We’re seeing a real surge in cases that is resulting in more hospitalizations, particularly younger individuals. They are also seeing sicker people in the hospitals and that’s really backing things up in the hospitals. That’s why there is a big ask for people to consider getting vaccinated. Again, vaccinated individuals helps prevent severe symptoms, hospitalization and death.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough is one of eight regions of the state in high alert status with widespread community transmission with 37.00 cases per 100,000.
On percent positivity, Dr. Zink explained:
“Here’s the percent positivity in Alaska. You can see that we peaked back in November at 9.3% but we’re having a pretty fast rise at 5.5% right now. All of our tests are coming back positive, higher than any other time in the pandemic except for last November overall.”
The Kenai Peninsula Region and Mat-Su Region remain the two lowest regions of the state with low vaccination rates. 44.3% of the Kenai Peninsula Region is fully vaccinated. 36.5% of the Mat-Su Region is fully vaccinated.