The first known case of the Omicron variant in Alaska was reported on Monday, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. The variant case was identified in an Anchorage resident.
“The case was identified today through genomic sequencing performed at the Alaska State Public Health Laboratory from a person who recently tested positive in Anchorage following international travel in November,” the statement read.
“Alaska now joins at least 30 other states and more than 60 countries that have already identified the variant,” the health department reported.
A New York Times variant tracker updated on Monday identified 32 states (and Washington, D.C.) that have seen the Omicron variant, including Washington, California and Idaho.
“Protective measures against the variant remain the same as for the other COVID virus variants,” Alaska health officials said. “The Anchorage Health Department and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services encourage Alaskans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they haven’t already done so and to get boosted if you’re eligible.”
“While this case of Omicron does not come as a surprise, it is a reminder that we need to remain vigilant to reduce the risk of COVID transmission,” the state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, said in an emailed statement Monday evening to the Anchorage Daily News.
Almost 67% of eligible Alaskans had received at least their first dose of a COVID vaccine as of Monday, according to the state health department. Almost 60% were fully vaccinated, and 19% of the eligible population had received a booster shot.
The rates in Wrangell as of Monday were 65% with at least one dose, 62% fully vaccinated, and 23% with a booster shot in their arm.
Less than 40% of 12 to 18 year olds in Wrangell are fully vaccinated, and less than 13% of 5 through 11 year olds.
“Layering on other protective measures, including masking, handwashing, physical distancing and testing can also help to reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus, including Omicron,” state health officials said Monday.
The COVID-related death toll in Alaska was at 887, as of Monday, with almost 154,000 cases reported in the state since March 2020, according to the public health online dashboard.
After a record number of new cases in November (66), Wrangell had reported just one new infection in December, as of Monday.
South African health authorities first identified the Omicron variant — which features around 50 mutations, including those around the spike protein — in late November.
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