State officials say the highly contagious delta variant is likely driving the increase in COVID-19 cases reported in Alaska, plus the fact that more than 40% of Alaskans over the age of 12 still had not received at least their first vaccination shot as of Monday.
Sitka has reported its worst outbreak in seven months, with 20 new cases reported Tuesday. There were 51 active cases in the community and at least 15 people hospitalized as of Monday evening. Almost all of the recent cases in the community were among unvaccinated people.
Sitka Fire Chief Craig Warren said last Friday that the city would start publishing on its COVID-19 website the vaccination status of new cases.
Sitka is at high-alert status due to the rising case count.
State officials reported 309 new cases and four deaths across Alaska Thursday through Sunday, bringing to 374 the number of deaths from COVID-19.
Test results from the third week of June showed that the delta variant comprised almost 40% of the COVID-19 cases sequenced in Alaska — their genetic composition verified in the lab. That is significantly higher than the proportion for the same week nationwide, estimated at 26%.
The Alaska rate was zero the third week of May.
The report on the delta variant and other strains was released July 7, prepared by researchers from the University of Alaska Anchorage and Fairbanks and state public health offices.
“We’re looking at a really fast-moving, infectious virus,” Jayme Parker, who heads Alaska’s public health labs, told Alaska Public Media last week.
“While every choice we make has risks and benefits associated with them, for the vast majority of people, getting vaccinated is a much safer choice for preventing illness and minimizing the impacts of this virus on your life,” Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, told reporters at a briefing last Thursday.
“I just continue to encourage Alaskans to seriously consider that option (vaccination), particularly as we see the delta variant spreading,” Zink advised.
The delta variant is now present in all 50 states. It was first identified in India in late December. It showed up in Anchorage in May and has spread throughout the state.
To help guard against the spread of COVID-19, and to protect their employees, patients and visitors, several health care providers in Alaska have announced that vaccinations will be required as a condition of employment.
The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium was among the first, when it notified employees and contractors in late May of the requirement. The Norton Sound Health Corporation, based in Nome, also will require vaccinations.
The Southcentral Foundation and its sister organization, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, sent an announcement to staff last week, notifying them of an Oct. 15 deadline to get vaccinated. The two Anchorage-based providers together employ more than 5,000 people.
As of Monday, 56% of Alaskans age 12 and older had received at least their first vaccine shot, about equal to the national average among states. Vermont was the leader as of last week, at almost 75%, with Mississippi in last place at 37%.
Haines was at 69%.
The state of Alaska has received federal funding to use toward programs to boost the vaccination rate, and is still working on how it will use the money.
The state this past spring granted $1 million to the Alaska Chamber of Commerce for distribution in smaller grants to local chambers around the state. In addition, communities, nonprofits and businesses have been offering incentives to attract more people to get a shot.
A Fairbanks nonprofit is running a lottery with a $1,000 prize for the winner. The city of Bethel offered $100 gift cards, with other communities offering fresh seafood, heating oil or gasoline.
No similar programs are underway through the Haines Borough or chamber of commerce, which didn’t receive any funding from the state chamber.
Fully underway, however, are Haines Borough School District plans to return to the classroom, with the first day of school set for Aug. 24. The district has released preliminary plans for health-safety protocols and is conducting a community survey to collect comments on the draft.
The proposals include requiring face coverings for students too young to get vaccinated, with the policy to be reviewed after vaccines are available for all age groups. Face coverings would be optional in grades seventh through 12th and for staff.
A full-time nurse will be employed for testing and health-related issues.
Lunch and breakfast would be served in the classroom/pod area for students through sixth grade, and in the cafeteria for all other students.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week issued new guidelines for the school year, including the recommendation that masks should be worn indoors by all individuals who are not fully vaccinated.
The Haines School District plans to review the community survey responses and have a board-approved plan ready for the public by Aug. 3, three weeks before the start of classes.