Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum presents at a press conference addressing the extension of two mandates issued by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in response to the spread of COVID-19, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Courtesy photo)

Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum presents at a press conference addressing the extension of two mandates issued by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in response to the spread of COVID-19, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Courtesy photo)

10 COVID-19 new cases reported, mandates extended

Eatery dine-in services, bars and entertainment venues to be closed indefinitely.

There are 10 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alaska, Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink announced at a Wednesday night press conference, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 143. There are no new hospitalizations or deaths in the state and no new positive cases for COVID-19 on the Kenai Peninsula.

Zink said 5,022 tests for the new coronavirus have been completed in Alaska.

Two previously announced mandates are being extended indefinitely. The mandates, which were the second and third to be announced by the governor’s office, shuttered state libraries, museums and archives and closed dine-in service, bars and entertainment venues. One expired Tuesday night and the other Wednesday night. Those mandates have been extended until further notice, Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum announced at Wednesday’s press conference.

Dunleavy also announced hunts for black bear and brown bear have been canceled statewide.

Dunleavy said his office is parsing through the bills sent to his desk by the Alaska Legislature earlier this week. He said his office will be announcing his decisions on the budgets over the weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Zink confirmed the BP employee who tested positive for the new coronavirus is an Alaska resident, but could not disclose where the employee is from within the state. She said the state’s epidemiology team is working closely with BP to make sure other employees are protected and the area is clean.

When asked about the number of Alaskans who have tested positive for the new coronavirus and recovered, Zink said the state’s epidemiological team is “not necessarily” reporting how many people have recovered.

She said an estimate on the recoveries will be made based on the number of confirmed cases and those who have died.

“We hope we look back on this and say we got excited about nothing,” Dunleavy said. “But we hope what we’re doing is really going to spread this out so we don’t overwhelm our hospitals.”

There are eight confirmed cases on the Kenai Peninsula, with two cases in Soldotna, one in Kenai, two in Homer and two in Sterling.

There are 67 confirmed cases in Anchorage, 40 cases in Fairbanks and North Pole, three in the Matanuska Susitna Valley, 10 confirmed cases in Juneau and 14 in Ketchikan.

More in News

Member Tom Tougas, far right, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism working group rejects bed tax, recommends seasonal sales tax adjustment

The document includes a section that says the borough could alternatively leave its tax structure exactly as it is.

The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Stranded otter pup rescued from Homer beach

She is estimated to be around 2 months old and was found alone by concerned beach walkers.

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks to graduates during the 55th commencement ceremony at Kachemak Bay Campus on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula College leadership sees temporary transitions

KPC Director Cheryl Siemers is serving as interim UAA chancellor, while former KBC director Reid Brewer fills in her role.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
First lady honors Alaska volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Middle schooler reported missing found after 24-hour search

The student was seen leaving Kenai Middle School at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The Oceania Riviera stands out against a bluebird sky at the Homer Harbor on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Over 1200 passengers from aboard the boat explored Homer throughout the beautiful day. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer tourism season kicks off with arrival of cruise ships

The first cruise ship of the season arrived April 28 with 930 passengers.

tease
‘Tomorrow — remember you are still a learner’

Kachemak Bay Campus graduated 49 students during its 55th annual commencement hosted on May 7.

Mt. Redoubt rises above Cook Inlet and the Anchor River drainage as fireweed is in bloom, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road on Friday, July 22, 2022, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Native plants provide lifeline for local songbirds

Shorebird Festival talk highlights importance of native plants.

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Most Read