Alaska reports first in-state COVID-19 death

State officials announced Alaska’s first in-state death related to COVID-19 Friday.

Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said a woman in her 60s died at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage after testing positive for COVID-19. The woman had underlying health conditions, Zink said. Alaska now has two COVID-19 related deaths. The first was an Alaska resident who tested positive for coronavirus in Washington state, and later died in Washington. The resident had been out of state for an extended period of time.

Zink also reported 16 new positive cases for coronavirus in Alaska Friday. Of those, nine are in Anchorage. The Municipality of Anchorage — which includes Girdwood, Chugiak, Eagle River and Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson — now has 43 total cases.

There are still only two reported COVID-19 cases in the Mat-Su Borough, as of Friday.

State officials also announced a pair of mandates during a press conference Friday that included Zink, Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Department of Health and Social Services Adam Crum. The first mandate reinforces the state’s effort to emphasize social distancing. As of March 28 at 5 p.m., state officials are calling for Alaska residents to stay at home and practice social distancing when outside. The state is ordering that all non-essential businesses close temporarily.

“All persons in Alaska, except for those engaged in essential health care services, public government services, and essential business activities, are mandated to remain at their place of residence and practice social distancing. For the purpose of this mandate, social distancing is defined as maintaining a distance of six feet or greater from any individuals with whom you do not currently reside,” state officials said in a press release.

The second mandate restricts all in-state travel until further notice.

“All in-state travel between communities, whether resident, worker, or visitor, is prohibited unless travel is to support critical infrastructure, or for critical personal needs. Certain small Alaskan communities may implement further travel restriction,” state officials said.

Contact the Frontiersman at news@frontiersman.com.

Support local journalism. By subscribing you help local journalism continue to thrive. For our latest digital subscription information, see frontiersman.com/site/forms/subscription_services/