(SitNews) - According to date contributed by Alaska Epidemiology Department's Katherine Newell, DPhil, MPH and Megan Tompkins, MPH, Alaska Section of Epidemiology, during January 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021, there were 109,749 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Alaska residents reported to the Alaska Section of Epidemiology.

Data on underlying medical conditions were obtained from contact tracers and data analysts during interviews, and hospital record reviews. Following the recent surge in cases, comorbidity data was unavailable for 16% of deaths. For deaths where these were missing, Newell and Tompkins aimed to supplement data using death certificate review where possible (n=33). The preliminary data in this release was noted to be subject to change.

Newell and Tompkins wrote in a recently released Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin December 01, 2021, it was determined that 658 deaths from Jan. 01, 2020 - September 2021 were caused by or associated with COVID-19 (90.3 per 100,000 population). Of those, 397 (60%) were male, 517 (79%) required hospitalization, 244 (37%) were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and 82 (13%) deaths occurred in residents of a licensed long-term care or assisted living facility.

Death rates have increased substantially in Alaska following introduction of the Delta variant in June 2021. Death rates were reported highest among persons over 80 years of age.

Of the 551 who died for which past medical history was known, 529 (96%) had at least one underlying medical condition associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19.1 Of these, 417 (79%) had 1–3 medical conditions, 106 (20%) had 4–6 medical conditions, and 6 (1%) had ≥7. The most common underlying medical conditions were cardiovascular diseases (including hypertension) (59%), diabetes mellitus (31%) and chronic respiratory diseases (25%).

Alaska’s COVID-19 death rate increased substantially following introduction the of the Delta variant. Alaska's death rates remain highest in males, older adult persons, and those with underlying medical conditions. Chronic cardio-respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus were the most common underlying medical conditions identified among decedents. Approximately two-thirds (67%) of Alaskan adults are estimated to have underlying health conditions that put them at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness, including obesity, diabetes, chronic obstructive lung disease, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and current or past smoking.4

According to the Alaska Epidemiology Department, strategies to prevent future Alaskan covid deaths include the following:

• Become fully vaccinated. Alaskans aged 5 years or older are eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19 now.3,5
• All fully vaccinated persons aged 18 years or older can get a booster dose if more than 2 months or 6 months have passed since completion of their Janssen or mRNA series, respectively.
• Prevent and control high-risk medical conditions.
• Evade infection by continuing to wear masks, socially distance, and avoid crowds in public indoor spaces while

As of December 03, 2021, the Alaska COVID-19 Information Hub reports 146,558 resident cases, 853 resident deaths, 71 current hospitalizations and 901,329 vaccine doses given. For the most current and frequently updated information, visit the Information Hub, click here.

As of December 03, 2021, there were 130 active cases reported in Ketchikan and there were 9 new positives reported. Click here for the frequently updated information.

References

1. CDC. Medical Conditions and Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra- precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html

2. State of Alaska. Epidemiology Bulletin. Summary of COVID-19 deaths, Alaska, January 1 through October 15, 2020. Available at http://www.epi.alaska.gov/bulletins/docs/b2020_13.pdf

3. State of Alaska. COVID-19 Update Hospitalizations, Deaths, Repeat and Vaccine Breakthrough Infections. Available here.

4. State of Alaska. DHSS Insights Blog. Available at
   http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/blog/20201117.aspx

5. Scobie HM, et al. Monitoring incidence of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, by vaccination status — 13 U.S. Jurisdictions, April 4–July 17, 2021. MMWR 2021;70:1284–90.

6. CDC. CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid- booster.html

On the Web:

Alaska COVID-19 Information Hub

Ketchikan's COVID-19 Response Updates

Source of News:

Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services
Katherine Newell, DPhil, MPH and Megan Tompkins, MPH, Alaska Section of Epidemiology
State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin No, 22 December 01, 2021
http://www.epi.alaska.gov/bulletins/docs/b2021_22.pdf

Representations of fact and opinions in comments posted are solely those of the individual posters and do not represent the opinions of Sitnews.

SitNews ©2021
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews are considered protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper freelance writers and subscription services. E-mail your news & photos to editor@sitnews.us Photographers choosing to submit photographs for publication to SitNews are in doing so granting their permission for publication and for archiving. SitNews does not sell photographs. All requests for purchasing a photograph will be emailed to the photographer.