4/8/20 Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 detected in three Alaska communities; one new death

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Clinton Bennett, DHSS, (907) 269-4996, clinton.bennett@alaska.gov

Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 detected in three Alaska communities; one new death

April 8, 2020 ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced one new death and 13 new cases of COVID-19 in three Alaska communities – Anchorage (6), Palmer (1) and Fairbanks (6). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 226.

These new cases were reported from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 7 and reflect data posted at
noon today on coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com.

The person who died is a female aged 40-49 from Anchorage who was admitted to a local hospital on
April 5. Her positive test result came back yesterday. This brings the total deaths from COVID-19 to
seven Alaskans, two of whom were out of state when they died.

“The loss of these Alaskans is sad and difficult, for the families, loved ones, the communities where
these individuals lived, and for all of Alaska,” said Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink.

“This daily press release relays the data associated with COVID-19 to the public but behind each number is an Alaskan. My thoughts are with this individual’s loved ones today.”
Of the new cases reported today, seven are male and six are female. Two cases are aged 20-29; one is
aged 30-39; three are aged 40-49; three are aged 50-59; three are aged 60-69; and one is an aged 80+.
There have been 27 total hospitalizations with four new hospitalizations yesterday. A total of 32
recovered cases have been reported.

In other response news, DHSS today began shipping 44 rapid testing machines to 27 communities
across the state. DHSS coordinated with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to help determine which communities needed the tests, prioritizing areas that were off the road system or on the road system but 100 miles from the nearest testing facility.DHSS also took into consideration communities impacted by an increase in seasonal workers coming from other areas.

Stay informed:

• Alaska’s Response
        o Find more information about how to keep yourself and your family healthy at the DHSS
           webpage, coronavirus.alaska.gov
        o Visit the governor’s webpage on COVID-19 at gov.alaska.gov/covid19news
        o Visit ready.alaska.gov/covid19 on the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency
           Management webpage for Unified Command information, community press releases
           and other documents.

• United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S.
response.

• Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.
Questions about COVID-19?

• For general questions and assistance, please call 2-1-1.

• For the general public, questions regarding DHSS COVID response, including mandates and
alerts, can be sent to covidquestions@alaska.gov.

• Health care providers should direct clinical questions to the Section of Epidemiology.

 For DHSS media inquiries, please contact clinton.bennett@alaska.gov.

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DHSS_PressRelease_AKNewCOVIDCases_20200408.pdf