Alaska on Wednesday reported 86 new coronavirus infections identified in the past two days, as well as three COVID-19-related deaths, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. The health service now updates its coronavirus dashboard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The three recent deaths involved a woman in her 50s from the Prince of Wales and Hyder area; a Wasilla man who was 80 years of age or older; and an Anchorage man in his 70s.

A total of 370 Alaskans and seven non-residents with COVID-19 have died since the pandemic hit the state last spring. Alaska’s per capita death rate remains among the lowest within the country, although the size of the state, health care system and other factors complicate national comparisons.

Some areas of the state are starting to see a slight increase in case rates, including the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, which is currently in the high alert category, and Anchorage, which has moved up to intermediate alert this week. However, the state’s overall alert level remains low. Health officials continue to encourage Alaskans to get vaccinated against the virus, noting that the vaccines have been shown to be very effective in preventing illnesses caused by the virus, including the most contagious. variants.

As of Wednesday, around 55% of the state’s population aged 12 and older had received at least their first dose of the vaccine, while 50% of residents 12 and older were considered fully vaccinated. Among all the states, Alaska ranked 29th in the country for the most residents vaccinated per capita.

There were 15 people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 hospitalized in the state, including five who were on ventilators.

The 79 new cases reported among residents of Alaska include 52 people from Anchorage, seven from Hooper Bay, seven from Wasilla, two from Juneau, two from Nome and one each from Eagle River, Ketchikan, Palmer, Sitka, Utqiagvik and Willow. Among the smaller communities, there was one in Bethel EA, Chugach EA and northern Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Seven more cases were reported among non-residents: six in Anchorage and one in Soldotna.

Of all coronavirus tests done in the state over the past week, 1.24% came back positive.