Wrangell currently has one active case of COVID-19 in the community. As of today, the total case count for the state of Alaska is 21,331 cases. That’s an increase of 3,471 cases from last week. As of today, 513 people have required hospitalization in the state. That includes 58 new hospitalizations over the last week. And as of today, 96 Alaskans have died. Eleven of those deaths occured in the last week. For more data, you can visit the COVID data hub.
As of Friday, November 6, the entire state of Alaska has reached the high alert level; community spread is occurring throughout the state. These community alert levels were developed to inform decisions about allowing visitors to long term care facilities. However, they’re also used to inform decision-making in other sectors such as schools and businesses. In response, the state of Alaska is encouraging Alaskans to work from home if possible, to limit the number of places you visit during the week, to wear a mask when in the presence of others outside of your household even when you’re six feet apart, to delay unnecessary travel to stay home if you are sick, and keep washing your hands.
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 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the SEARHC clinic parking lot. Test results are still currently being received within five days or less. Overall, 8.7% of the local population was tested over the last seven days. That’s the lowest testing rate Wrangell has seen over the last three months. The EOC is really encouraging Wrangellites to get out and participate in the free asymptomatic testing.
During stressful situations like the COVID-19 Health Emergency, a normal response is to feel threatened by the uncertainty. We may feel a lack of control about what will happen, or what we can do to prevent further stress. This uncertainty might also remind us of past times when we didn’t feel safe. If we don’t do things to help ourselves, our wellbeing can be negatively impacted. Wellbeing Alaska provides Alaskans with tools to build resiliency for those affected by stress during these uncertain times. Wellbeing is having good mental health, life satisfaction, a sense of meaning or purpose and the ability to manage stress. Wellbeing Alaska offers healthy ways to cope, encourage self care and reduce stress. You can find more information at covid19.alaska.gov and then click on the header that says DHSS information, and then click the box labeled coping with stress. There, you can find resources and information on how to keep kindness at the forefront, keep the body strong, keep the mind strong and keep connections strong.
If you are feeling hopeless, are having thoughts of self harm or suicide, reach out for help right away. Our community and its residents will certainly show up in your time of need. And if you have friends or neighbors that you’re concerned about, please check in with them. You can call the Alaska Cares line at 1-877-266-4357 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Asking for help makes not only you, but our communities and our state stronger.
