Alaska reported 846 new cases of COVID-19 and 206 hospitalizations on Thursday in the data release from the state Department of Health and Social Services. That number includes 809 resident and 37 nonresident cases.
Among the new resident cases being reported, 21 were identified in Kenai, 14 in Soldotna, 8 n Homer, 2 in Anchor Point, 1 in Nikiski and 1 in Sterling. There was one new nonresident case reported in Soldotna.
Yesterday, there were 206 patients being treated for the virus in the state’s hospitals, which is an increase of more than 50 patients in two weeks. That marks the first time since the coronavirus pandemic that there have been over 200 people hospitalized with coronavirus. Also, there are 11 additional patients who are considered persons under investigation for a total of 217 current COVID-related hospitalizations. 29 coronavirus-positive patients are now on ventilators. More than a fifth of all people hospitalized in Alaska right now have COVID-19.
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 583.1. For boroughs and census areas, 27 areas are at the high alert level, including the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
61.5% of Alaskans aged 12 and older have received at least their first vaccine dose. 56% of Alaskans aged 12 and older have been fully vaccinated. 47.4% of the Kenai Peninsula Region are fully vaccinated.