Tag: coronavirus

A syringe next to eight little glass bottles

Alaska will get special first shipment of 35,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine as soon as next week

State officials say that the federal government is treating Alaska as a "territory" and sending its initial batch of COVID-19 vaccines all at once, instead of once a week. The vaccine will be prioritized for front-line health care workers and residents of long-term care centers like nursing homes.
A microscopic image of yellow blobs in a purple background

8 COVID-19 deaths as Alaska sets daily record 760 new cases

8 Alaskans died and 15 residents were hospitalized with COVID-19, the state health department reported Thursday.
Red billowy objexxt with blue rods latching onto them

19 more Alaskans hospitalized with COVID-19

The state reported 689 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
A native man in a blue anorak and a tie

Alaska Native leader Trefon Angasan passes away from complications of COVID-19

Angasan was the chairman of the Alaska Peninsula Corporation. He was also a founding member, and he served on the board for more than 42 years.
A nurse wearing a mask, glasses, a hair net and gown stands in a hospital room.

This Anchorage ER nurse is among the growing number of health care workers out sick with COVID-19

For Greer Gehler, an emergency room nurse in Anchorage, it started last Friday with a tickle in her throat.
A woman dressed in a white lab coat stands in front of a table. Another woman with protective gear stands in a dooray befhind her.

Hospital officials warn of ‘dire’ staffing situation ahead of holiday

Among the concerns: if an outbreak hits the strained elder-care system, hospitals would have to take in more patients.
A public health worker in a tent outside Juneau International Airport bags a freshly collected nasal swab for COVID-19 testing.

Alaska reports a record 13 deaths as spike in coronavirus cases continues

The state on Tuesday reported 13 deaths tied to the coronavirus. It’s the most deaths reported in a single day by the state health department since the pandemic began.
Cooked turkey on top of a cutting board, next to trays of orange and white platters of food.

For pandemic Thanksgiving, a growing group of Anchorage restaurants are cooking

Amid months of uncertainty and pandemic disruptions, Anchorage restaurant owners say demand for Thanksgiving dinner to-go has been an unexpected boost for business.
A public health worker in a tent outside Juneau International Airport bags a freshly collected nasal swab for COVID-19 testing.

Alaska inmate dies with COVID-19; cases still on the rise ahead of the holidays

The number Alaskans diagnosed with the coronavirus grew by almost 1,200 over the weekend and the state reported its first inmate death linked to the virus, as the surge of infection in the state continues.
Several 30-foot fishing boatsin the water

After a summer of pandemic disruptions and poor salmon runs, Alaska fishermen await more federal relief money

Government relief money has helped fishermen, and the state is finalizing a plan for how to spend another $50 million in federal dollars for the industry.
A hospital parking lot

Soldotna elder care facility gets hit with COVID-19

Nearly a third of residents at Heritage Place have tested positive for COVID-19, but the facility operator says that so far, no residents have been hospitalized.

Fur Rondy organizers cancel 2021 championship sled dog race over coronavirus concerns

Organizers announced this week that it’s too risky to hold the sprint races through the city during the coronavirus pandemic. They cited concerns about race requirements and large crowds of spectators.

LISTEN: A COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon, but Alaska faces unique challenges

There will be challenges with getting a COVID-19 vaccine to people, especially in rural areas like those in Alaska.
Red billowy objexxt with blue rods latching onto them

Hospitalizations rise, as nearly 1,400 infections reported over the weekend

It's the second-highest daily COVID-19 tally so far during the pandemic. Saturday's count was the highest.
A health care provider in full personal protective equipment in a Juneau hospital room.

Across Alaska, as the pandemic sends more staff home, hospitals prepare for the worst

As coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket in the state, cracks are appearing in Alaska's fragile health care system.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is seen running alongside the Dalton Highway, next to a small mountain.

Alaska is down thousands of oil and gas jobs, as the pandemic continues to squash demand

Data from the Alaska Department of Labor show an estimated 6,900 jobs in the state’s oil and gas industry in September. That’s down from 10,000 in January.
An arch in the snow made from giant whale ribs

Utqiagvik passes unique punishment for violators of COVID rules

Rule breakers are required to produce a public service announcement about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
a person behind a podium talking to a debate moderator

Alaska Rep. Don Young, 87, says he’s been diagnosed with COVID-19

Congressman Don Young has been diagnosed with coronavirus. At 87, Young is the oldest member of the U.S. House of Representatives and faces an elevated risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Red billowy objexxt with blue rods latching onto them

Alaska reports 8 COVID-19 deaths as cases surge

Five of the deaths were confirmed to be recent.