After announcing a staggering 78 new COVID-19 cases the previous day, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation announced 92 new cases on Oct. 21.
Based on 14 day averages, the Y-K Delta now has the highest number of COVID-19 cases per capita in Alaska, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. DHSS reports that the Y-K Delta has 36.11 cases per 100,000 residents, while the state of Alaska’s levels are at 25.76 cases per 100,000 residents, which is also high.
The majority of new cases are occurring in areas where community spread is known to be occurring. Fifty-one of Oct. 21’s cases are in Chevak, 22 in Quinhagak, and 16 in Bethel. YKHC has announced that community spread is occurring in Chevak, Quinhagak, Bethel, and Toksook Bay. Two of the new cases are in Kwethluk, and one case is in an unnamed Y-K Delta village. YKHC announced the fourth COVID-19 related death on Oct. 20. Two of the deaths were Elders in their 70s or 80s.
As of Oct. 21, there are 247 active cases of COVID-19 in the region. YKHC has reported 502 cases since the pandemic began.
