Over a dozen more deaths are being linked to COVID-19 in Alaska. The state Department of Health and Social Services reported 13 new coronavirus deaths yesterday, raising Alaska’s death toll from the pandemic to 419. Four of those deaths were from the Kenai Peninsula, including a female Soldotna resident in her 70s, a male Homer resident over 80, a male Homer resident in his 50s and a male Homer resident in his 50s. Health officials say 12 of the new deaths were identified through routine death certificate review.
The health department also reported 593 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, including 562 resident cases. Across the Kenai Peninsula, Soldotna reported 30 cases, Kenai 26, Seward 17, Homer 9, Kenai Peninsula Borough North 5, Nikiski 5, and Sterling 4. Additionally, there were 31 new nonresident cases, including 3 in Seward, 1 in Homer, and 1 in Soldotna.
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 453.1. 26 areas of the state are listed as being in the high alert level.
60% of Alaskans age 12 and older have received their first vaccine dose. 53.9% of Alaskans 12 and older have been fully vaccinated. 45.8% of the Kenai Peninsula Region are listed as being fully vaccinated.