Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Weekly Case Update
July 11 — July 17, 2021

Case Trends

• The number of identified cases of COVID-19 in Alaska increased sharply last week compared to the previous week. This is the fifth week in a row of week-over-week increases and was larger than increases in recent weeks.

• 882 cases were reported in Alaskans last week. This is a 140% increase from the week before.
• Increases in cases were widely distributed across Alaska, with notable increases in Anchorage, Sitka, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Chugach Census Area, Juneau, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and Kodiak Island Borough.
• The number of Alaskans hospitalized with COVID-19 is increasing as well. The total number of reported nonresident cases increased by 54 this week for a total of 3,008.
• It is highly likely that the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is substantially contributing to the increase in cases. This variant spreads more easily than previous variants.
• Currently available COVID-19 vaccines will help protect you, your family, and your community against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Getting vaccinated now is more important than ever. And until you are fully vaccinated, avoid crowded places and wear a mask whenever indoors with people you don’t live with.

Regional Alert Level Trends

• Alert levels are based on the daily average number of reported cases over the past 14 days per 100,000 population.

** Rates based on <6 observations are not reported

Vaccination Status

• Anyone aged 12+ in Alaska is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
• If you have received an initial dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, be sure to get your second dose too. Evidence suggests two doses of an mRNA vaccine are more effective than one dose of an mRNA vaccine, especially against emerging variants of concern.
• Vaccinated persons with immunocompromising conditions should discuss with their health care providers the need for personal protective measures.
• To schedule your vaccine appointment visit covidvax.alaska.gov or call 907-646-3322.
• You can also visit vaccines.gov or find clinics in your area by texting your zip code to GETVAX (438829) in English, or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish.
• The Alaska vaccine dashboard is available online for the most up-to-date data.

Regional Vaccine Coverage:

This is the percent of Alaskans aged 12+ who received one or more dose of vaccine.

New Hospitalizations and Deaths

• Cumulative hospitalizations increased by 12 to 1,667. Hospitalization reports often lag when a case was initially reported.
• 5.8% of hospitalized patients in Alaska had COVID-19 as of July 20, 2021.
• On July 17, 2021, there were 59 persons with COVID-19 in AK hospitals, which is a 59% increase relative to the week before when there were 37 persons hospitalized.
• Multiple hospitals in Anchorage were diverting patients the weekend of July 17th and 18th due to high volumes of both COVID and non-COVID patients. DHSS is working to revise its indicator of hospital capacity.
• The cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths among Alaska residents remains 374. It is common to take some time for a death to be reported and verified, and deaths that occurred during July 11—July 17 may be reported in the future after death certificates are reviewed.

Total Confirmed COVID Beds Occupied

Variant Tracking

• The most recent Alaska COVID Genomic Surveillance report was released on July 20th.

Vaccine Breakthrough Cases

• Vaccine breakthrough (VB) infections of COVID-19 are those detected in a person who is at least 2 weeks beyond their second dose of a 2-dose series or the only dose of a 1-dose series.
• From January 1–July 17, 2021, two deaths, 28 hospitalizations, and 948 cases resulting from a VB infection were reported among Alaska residents. These counts are provisional and subject to change as more data are compiled. In that same time frame, a total of 23,529 cases, 562 hospitalizations, and 86 deaths were reported.
• 96% of all cases, 95% of all hospitalizations and 98% of all deaths to date were in unvaccinated people.
• Specimens from VB infections are described in the weekly Alaska Genomics Report.

Statewide Percentage of Daily Test with Positive Results
(Seven day rolling average)

Cases by Week Reported and Age

Cases by Week Reported and Race

Additional informational resources:

• The State of Alaska COVID-19 information page provides more information about the virus and how individuals and businesses can protect themselves and others from transmission
• For the most up-to-date case information, see the Alaska Coronavirus Response Hub dashboard: updated Monday – Friday at data.coronavirus.alaska.gov
• For DHSS media inquiries, please contact clinton.bennett@alaska.gov