Petersburg man first to die of COVID-19 in Alaska

Longtime Petersburg resident Delbert (Pete) Erickson, 77, died on March 16 in Federal Way, Washington. His is the first recorded death caused by the COVID-19 virus in the State of Alaska.

Even though he died in Washington, his death is recorded in Alaska, his place of residency.

According to his family, Erickson was being treated for congestive heart failure, COPD and poor kidney function at a hospital in Everett, Washington. His son Pete wrote in an email, "If he had not contracted the virus, we still would have lost him. Maybe not this month, but most likely in the next few months. All COVID...