This past week’s seven-day case total for the region is the 15th highest since the beginning of the pandemic. It's the seventh highest weekly case total in 2021, coming in just behind last week’s case total.
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation reported 252 new COVID-19 cases in the region from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7. YKHC also reported five new hospitalizations in-region, and the deaths of three residents due to the virus during this one week period.
Two fewer cases were reported this week than last week. Last week, there were 254 new cases, two hospitalizations in-region, two medevacs and three deaths. The region’s case rate remains much higher than both that of the state and nation, and has been over the course of the pandemic. Currently, the Y-K Delta’s COVID-19 case rate is about six times higher than the national case rate and 1.6 times higher than the state’s.
Last week, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 3,247 new COVID-19 cases statewide. During that time, the Y-K Delta made up 8% of the state’s new cases.
Case rates have fallen significantly, about 71%, in the region since early October, when YKHC announced the third highest seven-day case rate since the beginning of the pandemic.
Historically, the Y-K Delta’s case trends have followed state trends. However, this past week the region’s cases have remained constant while the state’s cases have decreased. The national case count has also stayed constant over the same period of time.
Over the past week, in alphabetical order by community, YKHC announced five cases in Akiachak, 11 in Alakanuk, two in Aniak, 36 in Atmautluak, 33 in Bethel, two in Chefornak, six in Chevak, 17 in Crooked Creek, 10 in Emmonak, 16 in Holy Cross, 30 in Kasigluk, one in Kongiganak, two in Kwethluk, four in Kwigillingok, two in Marshall, six in Mekoryuk, one in Mountain Village, three in Napakiak, one in Napaskiak, five in Newtok, 20 in Nunapitchuk, two in Pilot Station, two in Quinhagak, two in Russian Mission, three in Scammon Bay, one in St. Mary’s, 21 in Toksook Bay, three in Tuluksak, and four in unnamed Y-K Delta villages.
Across the Y-K Delta, 14,721 individuals, or 66% of the eligible population, is fully vaccinated against the virus, according to state data. The percentage has dropped from previous weeks, because more people are now eligible for vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved COVID-19- vaccines for 5- to 11-year-olds last week.
How does the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta compare to state and national trends?
Per capita, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is reporting more COVID-19 cases on average than the state and nation. From Nov. 1 to Nov. 7, YKHC announced an average of 36 new COVID-19 cases each day, the same number of cases per day as the week before. Per 100,000 people in the region, about 869 developed COVID-19 in the last seven days. In the same time period, the state announced 547.1 new cases per 100,000 people across Alaska, and the CDC announced 152 cases per 100,000 people across the U.S.
