In the local case count, the total number of Wrangell cases to date are 20. There is currently have one active case that is in isolation. The case count for the entire state of Alaska is 7,941 cases to date. That’s an increase of 576 cases from last week’s update. As of today, 269 people have required hospitalization, and that includes 21 new hospitalizations over the last week. As of today, 45 people have died, one of those deaths have occurred during the last week. For more data, visit COVID19.alaska.gov.
The CDC recently released guidelines on fall and winter holiday celebrations and tells us what we can do to help protect individuals, their families, friends and communities from COVID. This can be found at cdc.gov.
Masks continue to be available at public buildings around town. The library has masks in children’s and adult sizes, call 874-3535 for more info. The fire hall also has masks, and can be reached at 874-3223. Local businesses also carry a variety of masks.
The SEARHC COVID-19 hotline is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 907-966-8799. Community asymptomatic testing continues to be available every Saturday and Sunday at the SEARHC clinic parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Test results are still currently being received within three days or less. Last weekend, 66 people attended community testing and 21.5% of our local population was tested over the last seven days.
Governor Dunleavy has proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Month in Alaska, the Alaska Care Line at 1-877-266-4357 is available 24/7 for Alaskans who need immediate help and support.
The City and Borough of Wrangell has broadened the criteria for the COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant to include small businesses, resident commercial fishermen, and now resident deckhands and crew members, in addition to extending deadlines and program changes for the other existing COVID-19 impact assistant grants. There is a new general household economic relief assistance grant that is now available for up to $500 per household. Go to www.wrangell.com for the application. If you applied previously, and were approved for the Targeted Visitor Industry Relief Program, or the Small Business Emergency Relief Program, payment for the difference in the amount you received and now being offered in the programs will be sent to you automatically. Please give staff two weeks to issue checks.
If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please reach out to the Wrangell COVID-19 hotline at 874-2684.
