State to change how it reports COVID-19 data

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services plans to change how it reports COVID-19 data beginning in April.

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed the way it reports COVID-19 data.  The new model uses what the CDC calls community levels that go beyond simple case rates and incorporate data about hospitalizations and deaths as well.  The change to community levels also came with a relaxing of mitigation recommendations for most of the country.

In an update issued Wednesday, DHSS acknowledges the value of community levels as measured by the CDC, but adds that it may not paint a complete picture for some areas of Alaska, particularly rural communities.  As a result, the state will continue reporting case rates.

Updates to COVID-19 data are also going to be less frequent.  Earlier in the pandemic, DHSS reported daily data.  That later gave way to three updates per week.  Beginning in April, the case rate data will be updated weekly.

According to the current CDC map, the Mat-Su is now in the “Low” community level. CDC guidance for communities at that level include staying up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19 and testing if symptoms develop.