The Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has resulted in record-setting numbers of new cases across Alaska. The seven-day case count as of Tuesday was just under 2,200. That’s nearly twice as high as the previous record set in late September. In the Mat-Su, current official case counts are comparable with last fall’s COVID-19 surge, with about 1,300 cases over the last seven days.
At the same time, the number of reported COVID-19 tests statewide in January is significantly lower than it was in September. At the same time, Jared Kosin, President of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursting Home Association said on Talk of Alaska this week that the transmissibility of Omicron is causing staff shortages due to exposure.
Current hospitalization numbers are significantly lower than the last spike in cases, though, as of Wednesday, there were five people on ventilators in the state with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
COVID-19 testing remains a high priority throughout the country. Information on federal testing resources, including how to order free tests and how to have tests reimbursed through health insurance, is available at COVIDTests.gov. Locally, as of Wednesday, Denali Education Center in Talkeetna reports having take-home tests available once again.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 399 hospitalizations and 191 deaths in the Mat-Su attributed to COVID-19. Statewide, there have been 1,018 deaths reported.
