Alaska reported 10 deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, one of the highest daily tallies of the pandemic.
The state Department of Health and Social Services says four of the deaths were recent and involved Anchorage residents: a woman in her 80s, an woman in her 70s, a man in his 70s and a man in his 60s
The other six were identified during the review of death certificates, the department said: A Mat-Su man in his 80s, an Anchorage woman in her 80s, two Anchorage men in their 70s, an Anchorage woman in her 60s and a Big Lake man in his 50s.
The state has recorded an average of more than one COVID-death per day over the past month. On Dec. 12, Alaska reported a daily record 18 COVID-19 deaths.
The news comes despite a slowdown of new infections in the state over the past several weeks. However, health officials say that reported deaths can lag as much as six weeks behind an increase in cases.
The health department also reported Tuesday that two people had died from COVID-19 at the Anchorage Pioneer Home, bringing the total deaths associated with an outbreak at the assisted-living home to three.
Vaccinations started at the Anchorage facility on Dec. 18. By Tuesday, 112 elders and 60 staff had received vaccinations with no adverse reactions reported, the department said.
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The state reported 429 new COVID-19 cases statewide on Tuesday.
Lex Treinen is covering the state Legislature for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at ltreinen@gmail.com.
