(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced one new death and 14 new cases of COVID-19 in four Alaska communities – Anchorage (4), Fairbanks (7), Juneau (2) and Seward (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 185.  As of today, the hospitalized total is 20 and the statewide death total is 6.

There are no new cases in Ketchikan with the last reported positive case on April 1, 2020. Total cases in Ketchikan remain at 14.

As of April 05, 2020

Sunday's new case report and the new death were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 4 and reflect data posted at noon today on coronavirus.alaska.gov. This new reporting schedule for Alaska’s COVID-19 cases began on Thursday with the rollout of a new data dashboard. 

The person who died is a 71-year-old Anchorage resident who acquired the infection outside of Alaska, tested positive on March 28 and had been hospitalized in state. The patient had preexisting health conditions. 

Also of note today is that one of the Anchorage cases is a staff member at the McLaughlin Youth Center (MYC) within the DHSS Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Since learning of the positive test result, DJJ Director Tracy Dompeling has been in close contact with the Alaska Section of Epidemiology and the Anchorage Health Department to facilitate contact investigations. DJJ is implementing all recommended and necessary protective measures for both staff and residents.

“We express our condolences to the family and loved ones of the Anchorage resident who died and is included in our case count today. Our thoughts are with them,” said DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum. “Regarding the situation at McLaughlin, please know DJJ is working closely with state and local public health officials to ensure that MYC residents, staff and anyone who may have been in contact with this positive case is aware of this situation and knows what we plan to do.” 

Because all of the DHSS Division of Juvenile Justice facilities around Alaska are 24-hour facilities, operations cannot cease and all employees cannot be sent home to telecommute. Additional measures being taken to safely staff the facility at this time include: 

• Bringing in state and local public health officials to assist with testing and contact investigations.
• Prioritized testing for staff and clients. 
• Sending home staff members from the affected unit who likely had contact with the individual who tested positive.

Quoting a news release, the Department of Health & Social Services remains committed to protecting the health and safety of staff and residents at all Division of Juvenile Justice facilities. Since March 27, before this positive case occurred, Division of Juvenile Justice had already suspended in-person visitation for family members and religious volunteers, providing visitation and services through electronic means. Other measures already in place at the facility include frequent handwashing, routine disinfection of high-touch surfaces and encouraging staff members who are sick to stay home. 

Of the new cases from Saturday that are reported today, five are male and nine are female. Two cases are aged 10-19, three are aged 30-39, one is aged 40-49, three are aged 50-59, three are aged 60-69 and two are aged 70-79. A total of 20 people cumulatively have ever been hospitalized in Alaska; four new hospitalizations have been added in the past 24-hour reporting period.

Saturday, The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced two new deaths of Alaska residents from COVID-19 and 14 new cases of the disease in six Alaska communities – Anchorage (7), Eagle River/Chugiak (1), Fairbanks (3), North Pole (1), Juneau (1) and Anchor Point (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 171 on Saturday. 

One of those new cases reported Saturday is one of the people who died. 

These new cases and deaths were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 3 and reflect data posted at noon Saturday.

The Anchor Point case reported Saturday was in a middle-aged male who developed symptoms and subsequently died of COVID-19 out-of-state on March 29. The DHSS Section of Epidemiology was notified of this person’s death by the health authorities in the state where the individual died. The second death is an older female from Fairbanks who was confirmed as a positive case on March 27. She had been hospitalized and passed away on April 3. 

“Our hearts go out to the families of these deceased Alaskans,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “This is a heartbreaking reminder of how important it is for all of us to continue doing our part to slow down the transmission of this virus by strictly adhering to the social distancing and travel mandates and other health advisories.” 

DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum added, “We are saddened by the news of these deaths which brings the total number of Alaskans who have died to five. Two of these five acquired their infections and passed away outside of the state, but these are all Alaskans. Our thoughts are with these communities where these individuals lived and with all those affected by these losses.” 

Of the 13 new cases Saturday (not including the death), seven are male and six are female. One case is aged 10-19, two are aged 20-29, two are aged 30-39, four are aged 40-49, two are aged 50-59, one is aged 60-69 and one is aged 70-79. A total of 16 people have been hospitalized in Alaska; one new hospitalization has been added in the past 24 hour reporting period.

As of April 05, 2020, the U.S. at a glance as reported by the CDC:

• Total cases: 304,826
  
  
• Total deaths: 7,616
  
  
• Jurisdictions reporting cases: 55 (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam,  Northern Marianas, and US Virgin Islands)
  

The CDC reports as of April 05, 2020:

• The overall cumulative COVID-19 associated hospitalization rate is 4.6 per 100,000, with the highest rates in persons 65 years and older (13.8 per 100,000) and 50-64 years (7.4 per 100,000). These rates are similar to what is seen at the beginning of an annual influenza epidemic.

On the Web: Stay Informed

Alaska’s Response 

•  Find more information about how to keep yourself and your family healthy at the DHSS webpage, coronavirus.alaska.gov
  
  
•  Visit the governor’s webpage on COVID-19 at gov.alaska.gov/covid19news
  
  
• Visit ready.alaska.gov/covid19 on the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management webpage for Unified Command information, community press releases and other documents. 

United States Response

•  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global Response

•  The World Health Organization guides the global response. 

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Health & Social Services
www.dhss.alaska.gov

CDC
www.cdc.gov

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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