Anchorage and Mat-Su Hospitals Report 0 Available ICU Beds
Data taken from the Municipality of Anchorage COVID-19 dashboard shows that Anchorage and Mat-Su hospitals are reporting concerning hospitalization numbers this morning.
ICU capacity in Anchorage hospitals has fluctuated wildly over the weekend. On Friday, the city reported two available critical beds, then jumped to seven on Sunday. This morning, critical care capacity in Anchorage dropped to zero.
Neighboring Mat-Su Regional is also reporting zero ICU beds available today.
Anchorage hospitals reported this morning that 123 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, and four additional patients (127) were suspected of being sickened with the virus, up from yesterday's combined total of 119.
Statewide, Alaska is reporting 210 patients now hospitalized with COVID-19 and five additional patients hospitalized suspected of having the virus (215).
Today, Alaska DHSS announced a three-day total of 1,473 new cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Anchorage Mayor David Bronson has said that he will not mandate any COVID-19 mitigation strategies which might slow the volume of patients streaming into Anchorage emergency departments, but the Municipality did award a mass care contract to 99 Plus 1, Inc., over the weekend — a for-profit corporation that has been in business for less than a year.
Assemblymembers Meg Zaletel and Pete Petersen will introduce a resolution at tomorrow's Anchorage assembly meeting — once again asking Mayor Bronson to direct that masks or face coverings be required in public indoor areas of Municipal buildings and to promote COVID mitigation measures when the Municipality of Anchorage is at substantial or high alert levels for community transmission of COVID-19.
