From Feb. 14 to Feb. 20, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) announced 498 new cases of COVID-19. That’s 100 fewer cases than the week before, or a 16% drop. The week prior, the decline was even steeper, at 27% fewer cases. However, as cases have fallen, hospitalizations have jumped.
Over the past week, five Y-K Delta residents were hospitalized, and another was medevaced out of the region due to COVID-19-related symptoms. This is the highest hospitalization rate the region has seen since the delta variant in October 2021.
This spike in hospitalizations is to be expected, according to YKHC Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges, who explained "that's something that happens after the peak of any outbreak is that our hospitalizations do continue for a while because hospitalizations and deaths are lagging indicators, meaning they come after the peak of cases when our vulnerable patients can be hospitalized and die." Hodges said that hospitalizations could continue to increase in the upcoming weeks.
The health care system remains strained across Alaska as well. Statewide, hospitals are at 84% capacity, with almost 100 individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 as of Feb. 23.
Even as cases have fallen, the region’s case rate remains high relative to other areas. Cases in the region continue to outpace state and national infection rates. The Y-K Delta’s infection rate is four times higher than the state’s, and over eight times higher than the nation’s. Last week, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 3,110 new COVID-19 cases across Alaska. During that time, the Y-K Delta made up 16% of the state’s new cases, while the region itself makes up less than 4% of the state’s total population.
It’s still too soon to tell whether the ending of Bethel’s mask mandate has had any effect on COVID-19 transmission. The mandate expired Feb. 18. On Feb. 22, the Bethel City Council replaced it with a COVID-19 mask recommendation. The recommendation reflects the guidance of local and federal health officials, who still recommend wearing masks as the most effective way to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Over the past week, in alphabetical order by community, YKHC announced 34 cases in Akiachak, three in Akiak, three in Aniak, 77 in Bethel, one non-resident who tested positive in Bethel, seven in Chefornak, 30 in Chevak, 26 in Eek, one in Emmonak, two in Grayling, 16 in Hooper Bay, four in Kasigluk, three in Kipnuk, 15 in Kongiganak, 14 in Kotlik, 31 in Kwethluk, 20 in Kwigillingok, four in Marshall, 14 in Mountain Village, 22 in Napaskiak, eight in Newtok, three in Nunam Iqua, 36 in Nunapitchuk, one in Pilot Station, 55 in Quinhagak, nine in Russian Mission, three in Scammon Bay, 22 in St. Mary’s, 19 in Toksook Bay, seven in Tuluksak, seven in Tuntutuliak, and one in Tununak.
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta case rate is significantly higher than both that of the state and the nation. Per 100,000 people over seven days, over 1,700 developed COVID-19 in-region. That’s compared to the national case rate of 207 cases per 100,000 people, and the state case rate of 427 per 100,000 people over the same period of time.
YKHC reports that 17,819 individuals, or 66.5% of the eligible population, are completely vaccinated against COVID-19, which is a 0.3% increase from last week. DHSS reports that 63.6% of all eligible Alaskans have completed a vaccine series. Nationwide, 68.8% of the population that is five or older is fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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.
