The state announced over the weekend more than 1,100 COVID-19 cases, including a new single-day high for new cases.
On Saturday, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 604 cases, a new statewide high, and on Sunday, the state announced 512 cases. Of the Saturday cases, 600 are residents and four are nonresidents. Of the Sunday cases, 510 are residents and two are nonresidents.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy cited high daily case counts, which also topped 500 on Friday, and the impact COVID-19 could have on emergency responders, law enforcement officers, members of the military and health care professionals as reasons people should take steps, such as avoiding crowds and wearing cloth face coverings, to mitigate spread of the virus.
[Governor urges Alaskans to wear masks]
The state announced seven new hospitalizations —four on Sunday and three Saturday —and no new deaths over the weekend.
So far, 84 Alaskans have died with the illness, according to state data, and since March there have been 18,716 resident cases and 1,110 nonresident cases. There are 12,120 active cases in the state, and 6,512 residents have recovered, according to state data.
For most people, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
• Contact Ben Hohenstatt at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt
