Alaska reports 19 virus related deaths in recent months

JUNEAU, Alaska – The state health department Thursday reported 19 resident deaths related to COVID-19 following death certificate reviews, though none of the deaths were described as recent.

Louisa Castrodale, an epidemiologist with the department, said one death occurred in December and others occurred in February and March. The department also reported a death of a nonresident.

Since the start of the pandemic, the state has reported 329 resident deaths related to COVID-19 and more than 63,000 COVID-19 cases among residents.

The department also reported Thursday that nearly 40% of Alaskans 16 or over are considered fully vaccinated.