Alaska still on high alert for Covid-19 but change is occuring

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - An update from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services was released yesterday (FRI), indicating most parts of Alaska remain at High Alert for the Covid-19 and Influenza transmission. High Alert means there are greater than 100 cases per 100 thousand people.

The date was sampled between December 19, 2021, and January 31st. As of January 31, there were 154 persons with Covid-19 in Alaska hospitals which is 16.3% of all hospitalized persons.

However, the week of January 23 to January 29 experienced 15,752 total reported Covid-19 cases, a decrease from the week prior.

Fairbanks North Star Borough saw little change showing similar numbers from the past two weeks.

Unvaccinated Alaskans are 6.4 times more likely to be hospitalized from Covid-19 than those with the first round of vaccination shots plus booster and two times more likely than those who completed the first round of shots.

On top of COVID, increasing Flu type A transmission levels began in mid-December and have steadily stayed above baseline since then.

DHSS recommendations to protect yourself and your family are as follows: “Get vaccinated and stay up to date, wear a mask indoors in public, practice physical distancing, get tested, and ask a health care provider about treatment.”