Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 12 deaths and 756 new cases reported Friday - Anchorage Daily News

Alaska on Friday reported 12 deaths and 756 new cases of COVID-19, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services.

The constant high daily case counts are translating to more deaths and hospitalizations that are stressing the health-care system, health officials say.

Three of the deaths occurred recently, according to state health officials: a woman from Anchorage in her 90s; a woman from Kodiak in her 80s; and a woman from Kenai in her 80s.

Nine of the deaths were reported following a review of death certificates: a woman from Kenai in her 90s; a woman from Cordova in her 90s; a woman from Utqiagvik in her 60s; a woman from Wasilla in her 60s; a man from Wasilla in his 60s; a man from Anchorage in his 80s; a man from Anchorage in his 60s who died out of state; and two women from Anchorage, both in their 60s.

State data showed just five ICU beds available Friday in Anchorage hospitals, where the state’s sickest patients tend to end up.

Of the 744 new cases reported by the state Friday among Alaska residents, there were 237 in Anchorage, plus 19 in Eagle River, four in Chugiak and one in Girdwood; 193 in Wasilla, 54 in Palmer, one in Big Lake and one in Sutton-Alpine; 23 in Soldotna, 17 in Kenai, six in Homer, two in Anchor Point, one in Seward, one in Nikiski and one in Sterling; 25 in Fairbanks and 10 in North Pole; 34 in Kodiak; 29 in Juneau and two in Douglas; 18 in Utqiagvik; seven in Delta Junction and two in Tok; eight in Bethel; three in Sitka; two in Chevak; one in Valdez; one in Kotzebue; and one in Wrangell.

Twelve cases were reported among nonresidents: four in Fairbanks, one in Delta Junction, one in Wasilla, one in a smaller Northwest Arctic Borough community, one in Sitka and four in unidentified regions of the state.