The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is reporting a sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases in the data update on Wednesday. There were 944 resident cases, and 52 nonresident cases, totaling 996 additional COVID-19 cases. Two additional Omicron variant cases were reported as well, according to the Coronavirus Variants Dashboard.
Also, there were two Alaska resident deaths reported. The residents who died were a female resident of Anchorage in her 50s, and a male resident of Anchorage in his 60s.
There are currently 52 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who are hospitalized and three additional patients who are considered persons under investigation (PUI) for a total of 55 current COVID-related hospitalizations. Ten of these patients are on ventilators. The percentage of patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 is 4.8%.
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 237.8. For boroughs and census areas: 22 areas are at the high alert level.
The DHSS states 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. They also advise to use a self-test before and after travel and large gatherings.
62.7% of Alaskans aged 5 and older have received at least their first vaccine dose. 57.4% of Alaskans aged 5 and older have been fully vaccinated. 47.8% of the Kenai Peninsula Region are fully vaccinated.
