COVID was the third-leading cause of hospitalization and death in 2021.
Alaska coronavirus news
Live updates and information on COVID-19 in Juneau and Alaska
You can order free COVID tests again by mail
People are gathering indoors for the holidays, and there’s been an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The federal government says you should test often to try to prevent the spread of the virus.
A ‘big soup of viruses’ is filling Alaska hospital beds
Health officials are urging Alaskans to get flu shots and COVID boosters, practice regular hand-washing and stay home from gatherings if any symptoms arise.
Experts are concerned Thanksgiving gatherings could accelerate a ‘tripledemic’
As the holiday approaches, infectious disease specialists are bracing for the possibility that big family get-togethers and travel will propel the spread of RSV, flu and COVID-19.
How monoclonal antibodies lost the fight with new COVID variants
The treatments were highly popular earlier in the pandemic. One by one, they got knocked out by more convenient, less expensive treatment options, and new COVID variants.
New omicron subvariants now dominant in the US, raising fears of a winter surge
Step aside, BA.5. The new variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, appear to be among the most adept yet at evading immunity from previous infection and vaccination.
Iditarod drops COVID vaccination requirement, says decision not linked to mushers
The announcement comes as mushers have been slow to sign up for the 51st running of Iditarod, with only 26 listed as of Tuesday.
Alaska health officials recommend COVID boosters as cases rise in Europe
State epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin said an omicron wave in Germany is showing the importance of getting boosted.
Juneau’s hospital to end COVID-19 testing and treatment services
In a press release, the hospital cited a decrease in demand.
State health department ends standalone COVID data summaries
The change marks a shift from focusing on case counts to tracking broader trends across the state.