Governor extends COVID-19 Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has extended the Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration, state officials announced Thursday evening, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The current order expired Friday, and with the new extension the declaration will last until Feb. 14.

“While we are making major headway in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to Alaskans, administering vaccinations more quickly than most other states, the thread of the virus remains and it is imperative the state’s response is maintained through disaster declaration,” Dunleavy said in a statement issued Thursday.

A total of 49,835 total COVID-19 cases have been reported in Alaska, with 296 of those cases announced Friday. There have been 228 total deaths and 66 patients with COVID are currently hospitalized.

Of the state’s total, 7,038 cases have been reported in the Mat-Su Borough as of Friday. There have been 4,910 in Wasilla and 1,748 in Palmer.

There have also been nearly 44,000 COVID-19 vaccination doses administered in Alaska, according to state officials.

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