Tegan Hanlon, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Alaska reports another 7 deaths from COVID-19
Six of the people who died are from Alaska, and one is a nonresident.
All Anchorage ICU beds fill as hospitalizations continue to climb
Alaska ranked second in the nation on Monday for the largest increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the prior two weeks, behind just North Dakota, according to The New York Times.
Alaska reports 2 new COVID deaths as hospitalizations continue to break records
Alaska on Friday reported two new COVID-19 deaths as the number of patients hospitalized with the virus in the state hit a new record high.
Bronson asks Anchorage Assembly to suspend plastic bag ban again
The city’s ban on single-use plastic bags just resumed on Wednesday. Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson is now asking the Assembly to put the suspension back in place until May 2022.
Anchorage’s plastic bag ban is back
The city had temporarily suspended its single-use plastic bag ban last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. That suspension expired on Tuesday.
UAA hockey will return to the ice in 2022 after raising $3M
UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell announced Tuesday that the hockey team is reinstated and will return for the 2022-23 season.
Troopers say Anchor Point man fired at officer during arrest attempt
Alaska State Troopers say an officer first encountered Bret Herrick at a business in Anchor Point on Monday. Herrick opened fire and then fled.
Alaska children make up growing percent of state’s coronavirus cases
Children age 11 and under accounted for 15% of Alaska’s COVID cases last month, up from 7% a year ago.
Providence Alaska says its staff must get COVID-19 vaccine or follow additional rules
“Our caregivers have a chance to lead by example when it comes to the health and safety of our communities,” said Dr. Michael Bernstein, Providence Alaska chief medical officer.
University of Alaska Anchorage students living in dorms must be fully vaccinated
The University of Alaska Southeast has a similar policy, while the University of Alaska Fairbanks is still deciding its vaccination rules.
COVID-19 outbreak puts Western Alaska village of Stebbins in lockdown
The Stebbins Community Association has imposed a 10-person limit at the store, a five-person limit at the laundromat and a 10 p.m. curfew.
COVID-19 patients at Alaska’s hospitals are mostly younger, sicker and unvaccinated
Alaska has reached yet another inflection point in the coronavirus pandemic. But it looks different this time.
Should you be wearing a mask indoors in your region of Alaska? Here’s what the CDC says.
The answer is probably yes, according to the new federal guidance that says fully vaccinated people should wear a face mask in indoor public settings if they’re in a place with “substantial” or “high” virus transmission.
Leaders of Alaska’s largest hospitals issue stark warning as COVID-19 surge continues
One Anchorage hospital has postponed non-emergency surgeries, and health care executives around the state pleaded with Alaskans to get vaccinated during an unusual news conference Tuesday.
Wave of coronavirus infections in Cordova shuts down seafood processor
The COVID spike in Cordova comes as much of Alaska experiences a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. Health officials say the latest wave of infections is mostly driven by the highly-contagious delta variant infecting unvaccinated people.
Alaska leads nation with steepest climb in coronavirus hospitalizations
According to The New York Times on Thursday evening, Alaska had the country’s fourth-highest increase in coronavirus cases over the past two weeks, and it was also the state with the steepest rise in coronavirus-related hospitalizations.
Alaska returns to high alert as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations climb
“This pandemic is clearly not over, and it is being driven primarily by people who are unvaccinated,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Alaska’s state epidemiologist.
Big Anchorage restaurants say business is booming, but hiring struggle lingers
Anchorage restaurant owners say the crowds are a welcomed change after a slow start to the year and an even slower 2020. But a stubborn staffing shortage is making it difficult to keep up.
Alaska’s child care sector, essential to economic recovery, is struggling to find workers
Workforce shortages are plaguing industries across Alaska. And, some say, one of the reasons is a lack of child care. But those child care centers are struggling to hire too.
Black bear enters camper near Seward, scratches sleeping man’s leg
The bear had entered the man’s camper through an open door, said Alaska State Troopers.