Juneauites started celebrating the holiday early, as crisp blue skies and warm weather brought locals out to trails, lakes and beaches around town. But holiday celebrations usually mean gatherings, and there are concerns people might not be vigilant with health precautions over the Fourth of July weekend.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Rising COVID-19 case counts and temperatures have state and local officials concerned about the potential spread of COVID-19 in large gatherings for holiday celebrations. Alaska reported record-high numbers of new COVID-19 cases for four straight days in the lead up to the Fourth of July, and sunny weather means people are likely to be outdoors.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The state reported Friday another Alaskan dead with the coronavirus. That brings the reported number of Alaskans who have died to 15. The state also announced 60 new cases, including 46 resident cases and 14 nonresident cases.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The deceased was an Anchorage man in his 80s, according to Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. <\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “We are thinking of the loved ones of the person who died,” said Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink in a Friday news release. “We are concerned about Alaska’s sharp rise in cases and hope everyone takes this as a warningcall to limit contacts this weekend, stay six feet apart from non-household members, wear a face mask and wash your hands often. If you are sick, even with mild COVID-19 symptoms, please isolate yourself and seek testing.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Twenty-one new cases were reported for Anchorage; Fairbanks North Star Borough, 10; Matanuska-Susitna Borough, 5; Kenai Peninsula Borough, 4; and one each for Juneau, Bethel, Nome and the Valdez-Cordova and Kusilvak Census Areas.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t The Empire learned Thursday evening one of its employees, after a personal trip outside of the City and Borough of Juneau, had tested positive for <\/a>COVID-19<\/a>. The reporter, who had not returned to the Empire’s offices since the trip, is isolating.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Friday was the fourth day in a row Alaska announced record-high numbers of new residential cases, and the number of active cases in the state on Friday rose above 500.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t