COVID-19 cases in the region are the highest they’ve ever been. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) reported 817 new cases last week, almost 100 more cases than the week before. YKHC also reported one death and four hospitalizations in-region over the same period of time.
The region’s case rate continues to outpace state and national infection rates, which have dropped over the same period of time that the region’s have spiked.
The Y-K Delta’s COVID-19 case rate is currently two times higher than the state’s. Despite having one of the highest case rates in the country, the Bethel City Council voted not to renew the city’s mask mandate this week. That mandate will expire Feb. 18.
Last week, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 8,950 new COVID-19 cases across Alaska, a 35% drop from the week prior. During that time, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta made up 9% of the state’s new cases.
According to state data, over 75% of adult hospital beds are still occupied, and 13% of those occupying hospital beds are COVID-19-positive.
Over the past week, in alphabetical order by community, YKHC announced 12 cases in Akiachak, 15 in Akiak, five in Alakanuk, 13 in Aniak, five in Atmautluak, 195 in Bethel, 36 in Chefornak, 80 in Chevak, 11 in Eek, three in Emmonak, three in Grayling, 21 in Holy Cross, 32 in Hooper Bay, three in Kalskag, five in Kasigluk, 18 in Kipnuk, 18 in Kongiganak, 11 in Kotlik, 22 in Kwethluk, 15 in Kwigillingok, two in Lower Kalskag, two in Marshall, two in Mekoryuk, 39 in Mountain Village, seven in Napakiak, 22 in Napaskiak, 12 in Newtok, 17 in Nunam Iqua, 15 in Nunapitchuk, 18 in Pilot Station, 45 in Quinhagak, one in Russian Mission, five in Scammon Bay, 38 in St. Mary’s, three in Toksook Bay, nine in Tuluksak, 33 in Tuntutuliak, 13 in Tununak, and 11 in unnamed Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Villages.
Local health officials continue to urge wearing masks and getting vaccinated and boosted against the virus to protect your health, and to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed by new cases. Anyone with questions about the virus is encouraged to visit the YKHC COVID-19 Dashboard or call the COVID-19 hotline at 543-6949.
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta case rate remains higher than both that of the state and the nation. Per 100,000 people over seven days, about 2,800 developed COVID-19 in-region. That’s compared to the national case rate of 615 cases per 100,000 and the state case rate of 1,487 per 100,000 over the same period of time. While the state and region’s cases have grown over the past week, the nation’s case rate has dropped.
YKHC reports that 65.9% of the eligible population is completely vaccinated against COVID-19, a 0.2% increase from last week. DHSS reports that 61.8% of all eligible Alaskans have completed a vaccine series. Nationwide, 67.9% of the population that is five or older is fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
