State health officials say the overall number of reported COVID-19 cases in Alaska rose last week relative to the previous week, though incidence remains low. That included 218 new cases, a 55.7% increase over the week before.
The number of new cases held steady or declined in most areas of the state, with the overall statewide increase primarily reflecting increased cases in Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kusilvak Census Area, officials with the Department of Health and Social Services said Wednesday, June 23.
DHSS continued its effort to get those eligible vaccinated, noting that, since Jan. 1, 97% of all COVID-19 hospitalizations in Alaska have been for people who were unvaccinated.
Currently, 54% of Alaskans aged 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
DHSS officials also asked parents to get children ages 12 and older vaccinated against COVID-19, and also to be sure the children’s overall vaccinations are up to date in advance of the upcoming fall school semester. DHSS officials will help residents interested in having a vaccination clinic or a speaker to talk about the benefits of and other related COVID-19 vaccine issues to provide both in their communities, they said.
As of June 23, a total of 71,037 people in Alaska have been diagnosed with COVID-19, including 68,179 residents and 2,858 nonresidents. A total of 1,652 people have been hospitalized. The death toll stands at 374, including 367 residents and seven nonresidents.
Free COVID vaccine distributions continue, with a total of 605,265 doses delivered to residents ages 12 and older. A total of 297,434 residents are now fully vaccinated and 329,574 residents have received one dose of the vaccine, DHSS officials said,
