Virus cases in Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta lowest since September

BETHEL, Alaska – The number of coronavirus cases in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska is the lowest it has been since September.

In the last 14 days, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation has announced 47 cases of the coronavirus, KYUK-AM reported Friday.

The number of new cases in the area in the past two weeks is almost 20 times lower than it was during a two-week span between Nov. 22 and Dec. 4, the peak of coronavirus cases in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Coronavirus cases across the state have decreased since the new year. Vaccines were made available to all residents 16 or older in early March.

Last week, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation reported that over 60% of the region’s eligible population had been vaccinated.

As of Friday, about 49% of those 16 or older have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine in the state. About 74% of those 65 or older have received at least one dose of the vaccine as of Friday.

Roughly 42% of those 16 or older were fully vaccinated as of Friday.

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.