Health

Y-K Delta COVID-19 cases fall slightly, continue to outpace state and nation

KYUK | By Elyssa Loughlin

Published October 19, 2021 at 4:56 PM AKDT

COVID-19 cases in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta have decreased slightly in the past week after hitting a 10-month high for announced cases the week prior. The decline follows a slight drop in cases statewide during this same time period.

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) reported 316 new COVID-19 Cases in the region over the past week, from Oct. 11 to Oct. 17. YKHC also reported 11 new hospitalizations in-region, one medevac, and two deaths due to the virus during this one week period.

This is 75 fewer cases, or a 19% decrease in cases, in the region compared to the previous week when YKHC announced 391 new cases, three hospitalizations, two medevacs, and one death.
Across the Y-K Delta, 14,471 individuals, or 79.2% of the eligible population, are fully vaccinated against the virus, according to state data. This is a 3.5% increase in eligible vaccinated people since last week. Statewide, there were 5,099 new COVID-19 cases in the past week. During that time, the Y-K Delta made up 6.2% of the state’s new cases.

In alphabetical order by community, over the past week YKHC announced 11 cases in Akiachak, one in Akiak, six in Alakanuk, 15 in Aniak, 18 in Atmautluak, 18 in Bethel, one out of region resident tested in Bethel, four in Chevak, 11 in Chuathbaluk, eight in Emmonak, one in Hooper Bay, 37 in Kasigluk, 17 in Kongiganak, 11 in Kwethluk, 15 in Kwigillingok, 23 in Marshall, one in Mountain Village, 12 in Napakiak, three in Napaskiak, two in Newtok, five in Nunapitchuk, seven in Pilot Station, 20 in Quinhagak, 30 in Russian Mission, five in Scammon Bay, and 34 in unnamed Y-K Delta Villages.

How does the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta compare to state and national trends?

Newly announced COVID-19 cases in the Delta have decreased over the past 7 days, but regional numbers are still significantly higher than state and national numbers.

Per capita, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is reporting more COVID-19 cases on average than the state and nation. From Oct. 11 to Oct. 17, YKHC announced an average of 45.1 new COVID-19 cases each day. Per 100,000 people in the region, about 1,089.7 developed COVID-19 in the last seven days. In the same time period, the state announced 811.1 new cases per 100,000 people across Alaska, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced 159.3 cases per 100,000 people across the U.S.

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta has a higher vaccination rate than both the state of Alaska and the U.S. So far, 14,471 people in the region have been fully vaccinated against the virus. That’s 79.2% of the eligible population, compared to 59.5% of eligible Alaskans, and 66.8% of eligible Americans.

The State of Alaska reports that the Y-K Delta has a higher percentage of its eligible population fully vaccinated than the rest of the state and the nation.