About a third of the most recently sequenced coronaviruses in Alaska were the BA.2 “stealth” omicron subvariant
• By Friday, there were 39 COVID-positive patients hospitalized statewide — up two from Wednesday. About 3% of Alaska’s hospital patients were COVID-positive. Three were on ventilators., about a third of the most recently sequenced viruses were the BA.2 “stealth” omicron subvariant, which appears to be more transmissible than other variants but not more virulent, and does not seem to be better at evading immune responses conferred by vaccination or prior infection.
• The state reports COVID-related deaths only on Wednesdays. Since the pandemic began two years ago, 1,169 Alaskans and 33 nonresidents have died from the virus. • Even though cases have fallen, Alaska’s seven-day new case rate per 100,000 people is currently the second-highest in the nation behind Idaho,• As of Friday, 64.1% of eligible Alaskans as well as military personnel had completed their primary vaccine series. About 32.5% of Alaska residents age 5 and older are considered up to date on their vaccinations, meaning they’ve received a booster or have completed their vaccine series and are not yet due to receive a booster shot.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Omicron subvariant BA.2 gaining ground in AlaskaThe first Alaska case of BA.2 was detected in early January, according to state data. By mid-February, more than a third of Alaska cases were the BA.2 subvariant.
Read more »
Alaska House passes bill to end marriage for 14-15 year olds - Alaska Public MediaThe Alaska House has passed a bill that would repeal a provision of law that lets a court allow someone as young as 14 to marry. It leaves in place another provision that allows for 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent.
Read more »
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, March 17, 2022 - Alaska Public MediaTonight on Alaska News Nightly: Disagreement over a bill that would bar the state from requiring COVID vaccines. Also, a records request leads to more questions from the Anchorage Assembly about Mayor Dave Bronson and his team. Listen here:
Read more »
Alaska House passes campaign contribution limits bill - Alaska Public MediaThe bill, from Rep. Calvin Schrage, an Anchorage independent, would set a $2,000 limit on what an individual could contribute to a candidate each campaign period.
Read more »