This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

State reports nearly 500 new cases over the weekend

Almost half were in Anchorage.

The announced nearly 500 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend.

On both Saturday and Sunday, Department of Health and Social Services announced over new cases —232 on Saturday and 249 on Sunday. Of the Saturday cases, 230 are residents and two nonresidens. Of the Sunday cas4s, 248 are residents and one is a nonresident.

No new deaths were reported over the weekend, according to state data.

There have now been 9,686 total resident cases and 1,000 nonresident cases, according to the state. So far, there have been 330 total hospitalizations.

Anchorage saw the largest number of new cases over the weekend with the state announced 238 for the city. Fairbanks saw the next largest increase with 53 new cases.

• Contact the Juneau Empire newsroom at (907)308-4985.

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