Case counts on the number of Alaskans infected by the novel coronavirus pandemic continue to rise on a single digit basis, with two new cases confirmed on Monday, May 4, bringing the statewide total to 370, with 263 people now recovered.
The new cases for the 24-hour period ended at midnight May 3, are both in Anchorage, bringing the total number of cases there to 189. Another 83 people in Fairbanks, 22 on the Kenai Peninsula and 16 in Ketchikan lead the state’s infection load.
To date there have been no reports of COVID-19 infections in Cordova, where everyone coming into town is required to immediately self-quarantine for 14 days.
Since the count began a total of 37 people have been hospitalized and nine have succumbed to the virus. There are currently 98 active cases, state health officials said.
A total of 21,723 of the state’s approximate 731,545 residents have been tested to date.
On an international level more than 3.15 million people have been infected, with 218,179 dead and another 961,860 recovered. In the U.S alone the number of infected has reached over 1 million people, with more than 59,000 deaths, and upwards of 142,000 recovered.
Cordova Mayor Clay Koplin said that fishermen in the area for the Copper River salmon fishery, which opens for a 12-hour commercial drift gillnet period on May 14, may go into town for essential reasons during their 14-day quarantine.
Also, if they have no symptoms or violations of that quarantine for 14 days then they will have the same freedom as residents. Still, if they violate general health mandates established by the community, go to another community and come back, have a new crew member come aboard, or develop symptoms, that quarantine clock starts over.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he would have more details on Wednesday May 6 on reopening businesses closed or limited to take-out services only.
“We are hoping to get the economy back to where it was sooner than later,” he said.
An emergency order to delay the reopening of many businesses in Cordova until May 20 remains in effect at this time, and may or may not be lifted, Koplin said. The issue will come before the Cordova City Council at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.
The state’s Legislative budget and audit committee voted Friday to authorize $125 million in federal funding from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, and efforts are underway to get those funds out to a variety of areas adversely impacted by the pandemic.
Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, said that action was a significant first step and the committee is working overtime to review Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s revised proposal on use of those funds.
The package includes $29 million for rural transportation costs, including the Alaska Marine Highway System, plus $42 million for child nutrition programs, $45 million for K-12 education, $5 million for the University of Alaska, and $3.6 million for state and local law enforcement.
The committee’s next meeting is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.
