Anchorage patient first to die in Alaska after positive COVID-19 test

The Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. (Photo by Joey Mendolia/Alaska Public Media)

The first person to die in Alaska after testing positive for COVID-19 passed away Friday at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

State health officials said the patient was a woman in her 60s with underlying health issues. Her death came as Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced new health mandates Friday restricting Alaskans movement and travel in the state.

“We believe her death was a result of this virus,” Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said.

Alaska Native Medical Center spokesperson Shirley Young said the patient had come to the hospital for treatment of an issue previously thought to be unrelated to COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, on Monday. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Young said.

“At that time, the patient was doing well, following the self-isolating protocol in their residence,” Young said. “But shortly thereafter, the emergency department at ANMC was notified that the patient’s condition was deteriorating rapidly and advised the patient to return to the hospital.”

Hospital staff put the woman into isolation to decrease exposure to staff or other patients, Young said. After being admitted to the hospital’s negative pressure unit, the patient died on Friday.

They’re the first person to have died in Alaska after contracting COVID-19. One Alaskan died after contracting the disease on March 16 in Washington state.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Alaska continues to grow. By Friday, the state reported 85 known cases, up from 69 the day before.

This story has been updated.

 

Alaska Public Media

Alaska Public Media is one of our partner stations in Anchorage. KTOO collaborates with partners across the state to cover important news and to share stories with our audiences.

Sign up for The Signal

Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week

Site notifications
Update notification options
Subscribe to notifications