State, borough set single-day records for new COVID-19 cases

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported a record high for new COVID-19 cases in Alaska Saturday, and the Mat-Su Borough topped its single-day record for the third straight day.

A total of 353 coronavirus cases were reported Saturday. It’s the first time since the start of the pandemic that the state had topped the 300 mark. It’s also been more than a month that there have been less than 100 new cases reported in a single day.

“Individual Alaskans working together have the power to slow down COVID-19, protecting our elders, our friends, our families and our health care capacity,” Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said in a press release issued Saturday. “Alaskans are strong and resilient, and we care for each other. COVID-19 has asked a lot from all of us. Our current situation will not last forever. There is much to be hopeful about with more treatment options and vaccines on the horizon, but now is the time for all of us to take all the steps we can as individuals and as communities to help slow the spread.”

Of Saturday’s total, 34 are in the Mat-Su Borough. The borough had also set records during the previous two days with 32 on Friday and 25 on Thursday. The borough remains in the state’s high alert status with 258 cases reported in the last 14 days. The Mat-Su also has a seven-day positivity rate of 8.5 percent, which is two percent higher than the municipality of Anchorage.

The borough’s cumulative total is 989 cases as of Saturday, including 606 in Wasilla and 299 in Palmer.

The increase in positive cases has impacted local schools and businesses. Colony High, Wasilla High and Mat-Su Career and Technical High will all be closed through Oct. 30, according to an update courtesy of the Mat-Su Borough School District Thursday evening. The three high schools are among 20 schools in the district currently listed at the medium risk level by the district, which is defined as low to moderate level of community transmission.

A handful of local restaurants have self-reported COVID-19 exposure, and closed temporarily. The Wasilla Sonic Drive-In posted a statement on social media Friday morning announcing that the restaurant will be closed until Monday due to a positive COVID-19 case. Chepos and The Grape Tap and Wasilla also posted about temporary closures due to COVID-19 exposure on social media. The Grape Tap will reopen Oct. 28 according to its Facebook page.

The Mat-Su Borough building, an early voting site, was also closed Friday. Borough officials said a person who had voted there on Thursday had tested positive.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.