UnVaccinated Alaskans At Higher Risk

The state of Alaska currently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the last week per 100,000 population in the USA. In addition, Alaska's health department recently stated, 'Hospital capacity is reaching a point in Alaska where it may become difficult to care for everyone who needs care.'

Alaska's average coronavirus test positivity rate over the last week was 9.48%.

And, only 58.6% of Alaskans 12 and older have been fully vaccinated.

The state Division of Public Health released a comprehensive look at hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccine breakthrough cases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic through August 2021.

August saw an increase in coronavirus-related deaths. More men than women have died with COVID-19. The COVID-19 death rate is highest among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Alaska Native, and Asian populations.

Also, 19% of all COVID-19 hospitalizations and a third of all cases involved vaccinated people.

The data showed that the incidence of COVID-19 among vaccinated people was consistently lower than among people who weren't vaccinated.

In July and August 2021, among people 12 and older who have had COVID-19, reinfection incidence was 24% higher among unvaccinated persons than those who were fully vaccinated.

This indicates that if someone was previously infected, getting vaccinated provided even greater protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Furthermore, Alaska's data also shows a ninefold reduction in the risk of hospitalization among people who are fully vaccinated.

'Choosing to get vaccinated is the single most important action you can take to protect yourself and your community,' announced Alaska's Twitter account. 'The higher the vaccination rate, the more protected community members are from COVID-19.'

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines at covidvax.alaska.gov.