State health officials say the COVID-19 virus is continuing to be widespread in most parts of Alaska, with evidence for increasing cases in some areas, and decreases elsewhere.
There is no clear upwards or downwards statewide trajectory, although cases and hospitalizations remain far below the peak of the Omicron wave, according to the mid-April report issued by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services on Friday, April 29.
A total of 1,338 cases were reported in Alaska for the week of April 17-23, a 7% decrease compared to the previous week. The number of new COVID-19 cases last week in the municipality of Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Fairbanks North Star Borough, and Kenai Peninsula Borough was similar to the number the previous week. Cases do not appear to be increasing in these areas, but there are also not clear downwards trajectories. Reported cases increased again last week compared to the previous week in the City and Borough of Juneau.
The intensity of COVID-19 transmission varies between communities outside the largest boroughs. Trajectories are mixed, with COVID-19 cases declining in some boroughs and census areas but increasing in others. The clearest evidence for increasing cases is primarily from southeast Alaska, with the largest increase occurring in Sitka. Some communities, especially in western Alaska, continue to experience large outbreaks relative to their population size.
As of April 27, 2022, there were 32 persons with COVID-19 in Alaska hospitals, accounting for 2.6% of all hospitalized persons, according to DHSS.
