COVID-19 test positivity rate reaches all-time high

MAT-SU — The current seven-day test positivity rate for Alaska is the highest it has ever been at 10.7 %. In the Mat-Su, 46 COVID-19 patients are receiving care at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, tying the high mark for patients over the course of the entire coronavirus pandemic with Oct. 3.

According to the Department of Health and Social Services weekly case report, Alaska has the highest number of cases over the last week per 100,000 residents among all 50 states, and “Hospital capacity is reaching a point in Alaska where it may become difficult to care for everyone who needs care, even for non-COVID health concerns. Some care may need to be delayed, there may be long wait times, and hospital beds may not be available.Hospitalizations are continuing to occur in younger Alaskans, with the median age of persons hospitalized due to COVID-19 in 2021 being about 10 years younger than in 2020.”

The DHSS also reported that unvaccinated patients between January 16 and October 9 are on average 15 years younger than fully vaccinated patients. Of the total number of cases reported between January 16 and October, 73 % of all cases were among unvaccinated persons, 86 % of all hospitalizations were among unvaccinated persons, and 83 % of all deaths were among all unvaccinated persons. DHSS reports that the high test positivity rate “indicates widespread community transmission and the need for more testing.”

There were 16 additional deaths of Alaskans reported this week, and only five boroughs around the state are not at a high alert level. The case rate in the Mat-Su has dropped over the last two weeks from 1,772.2 on September 27 to 863 on October 4 to 836.9 this week. The statewide case rate is currently at 834.5. There was also a 16.9 % decrease in hospitalizations this week.

On Thursday, 964 new cases were announced among Alaska residents and 208 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. There are only 21 Intensive Care Unit beds available statewide and 25 patients require ventilators. Of the entire population of hospitalized persons across Alaska, 19.6 % are hospitalized with COVID-19.

In the Mat-Su, 194 new cases were reported on Thursday and just one ICU bed remains at MSRMC. The 46 COVID-19 patients at MSRMC make up 45.1% of the entire population of hospitalized persons and seven patients require ventilators.

Across the state, 59 % of residents are fully vaccinated while just 41.9 % of Mat-Su Valley residents are fully vaccinated.