The state’s health care capacity remains robust enough to handle the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Wednesday at a press conference in Anchorage.<\/p>\n
The state has released daily reports with case counts in the double digits several times in the past few days beginning with a May 31, announcement of a spike of 27 cases, the state’s highest single-day increase of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
But Dunleavy maintained cases are being traced and steps are being taken to treat patients.<\/p>\n
“There’s no playbook on a pandemic,” Dunleavy said. “What we feel pretty good about is our capacity.”<\/p>\n
The cases reported by the state were located in clusters, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said at the press conference, and there didn’t seem to be any community transmission.<\/p>\n
Asked about a letter signed by more than 160 doctors in the state calling for a mandate requiring cloth face coverings in public, the governor said he was not planning any additional orders at this time.<\/p>\n
“We know there are businesses that require (face coverings), that’s their choice. There are Alaskans who will wear them, that’s their choice,” Dunleavy said.<\/p>\n
The best results came from providing people with information, Dunleavy said, and relying on them to use their best judgment.<\/p>\n
In social media posts Wednesday, Zink explained humility, kindness and community are why she chooses to wear a face covering.<\/p>\n