Statewide, 25 cases of COVID-19 were reported Monday and 33 cases reported Sunday, bringing Alaska’s total to 1,087 cases — 904 residents and 183 nonresidents. The three-day average positivity rate for COVID-19 tests has been on the rise since June 24. It was 1.27% as of Monday with 108,709 tests conducted.

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said in a Sunday release that many of the recent cases around the state have been identified after possible exposure in bars and other similar venues.

“We are definitely seeing a sharp increase in cases in Alaska, and just like in other states, many of the recent new cases are in youth or younger adults,” Zink said in the release. “Some of these cases are linked to bars in several communities. Going to a bar right now, especially to listen to a concert, should be viewed as a high risk activity. The virus can spread easily in crowded indoor spaces, especially when people are close together and singing or talking.”

Zink urged residents to take precautions when going out, including considering not interacting with anyone who is at high-risk for serious illness, such as older Alaskans or those with underlying health conditions.

According to the data on the state’s Coronavirus Response Hub, 50.78% of the cases identified so far in Alaska have been people under the age of 40.

There are currently 498 active cases of COVID-19 in Alaska — 365 among residents and 133 among nonresidents. Of those, 55 are in the Kenai Peninsula Borough: one in Anchor Point, one in Fritz Creek, 18 in Homer, one in Kenai, one in Nikiski, 17 in Seward (including three nonresidents) and five in Soldotna. One case is listed as other north; 10 are listed as other south. Cases within communities of fewer than 1,000 people are not individually listed. On the Kenai Peninsula these cases are divided based on the northern border of South Peninsula Hospital’s Service Area.

No new hospitalizations or deaths were reported by the state Monday.

There are 16 people currently hospitalized who are either COVID-positive or are awaiting test results. Of those who are hospitalized, only one is currently being treated on a ventilator. There have been 525 recoveries statewide, including an additional four recoveries reported Monday.

Starting this week, DHSS will only be issuing press releases regarding the state’s COVID-19 response on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The state will be issuing daily updates via Facebook and Twitter. The Clarion will continue to provide daily updates based on the data reported to the Alaska Coronavirus Response Hub.

For the latest on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit covid19.alaska.gov or email covidquestions@alaska.gov.