COVID-19 infections continue to fall, but Alaskans now await the arrival of Omicron variant

The number of new COVID-19 infections continues to drop in Alaska, a trend seen in other states following the surge of the Delta variant of the virus. Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services reported 347 new cases of infections Dec. 2 along with two deaths.

The drop in new cases, and hospitalizations, is a break for hard-pressed hospital staff who have seen Intensive Care Units at or near-capacity this fall.

In data released Thursday the department said there were 71 Alasans currently hospitalized with COVID-19, or 7.1 percent of the total hospital beds available. Seven of the patients were on ventilators, with assisted breathing.

This may be a temporary lull, however.

Dr. Anne Zink, the state’s chief medical officer, expects the new Omicron variant of the virus, newly-arrived in the U.S. and elsewhere from South Africa, to follow in the path of Delta to become the dominant strain in the U.S. and eventually in Alaska when it gets here, which it will, she said.

Zink and other state health officials spoke Thursday in a regular weekly briefing for reporters.

Scientists are scrambling to understand the new variant and particularly how effective the current vaccines are in stemming its effects. Its generally believed the vaccines now being administered provide at least some protection but that has yet to be confirmed.

The latest vaccination data showed that 56 percent of Alaskans five years of age and above are now fully vaccinated, but the percentages vary widely in communities across the state. Sixty percent of Anchorage residents are fully vaccinated with shots of vaccine and many with boosters.

In Juneau, 76 percent of its residents are fully vaccinated; in a rural Alaska region, the Yukon-Kuskowim Delta, 68 percent of residents are vaccinated.

In the Matanuska-Susitna Borough only 39 percent are fully protected.