Thread by @NBCNews

With the 3rd-lowest number of ICU beds per person in the US, Alaska’s already-sparse health care infrastructure is overwhelmed.

nbcnews.to/2XV3n2V

(1/7) #NBCNewsThreads

Hospitals are activating crisis standards, the government is flying in hundreds of health care professionals from out of the state, and public health officials have little recourse as state leaders hold firm on their opposition to mask mandates or distancing restrictions. (2/7)

After setting a record seven-day average for cases and deaths over the weekend, Alaska broke those records again Monday and then Tuesday broke the record for seven-day average for deaths.

The state was averaging 1,289 cases per day and 12 deaths per day as of Monday.
(3/7)

There might be a patient in the northwest part of Alaska who might need an ICU bed, and if there is only one available in the southeast, it could be risky transporting them because of the sheer expanse of Alaska. (4/7) nbcnews.com/news/us-news/d…

"It's not just about driving down the street or even driving two or three hours to an ER hospital," says Anne Zink, chief medical officer for Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services.

"This is multiple flights and sometimes takes days to be able to get to any hospitals." (5/7)

Low statewide vaccination rates are making matters worse.

Alaska has fully vaccinated 50% of its population, trailing the U.S. average of 55%.

Alaska was an early leader in vaccinations, but rates plateaued in the early summer.
(6/7)

"We have been seeing this increase for almost 10 weeks now and keep hoping that it will turn around ... but I would say hope in itself is not a strategy," says Zink, the chief medical officer for Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services. (7/7)