CASE COUNT: Wrangell currently has 9 active cases of COVID-19 in the community. During the last 7 days, the State has reported 9,125 new cases, 134 hospitalizations and 19 recent deaths within Alaska. The weekly case count is more than double the count I reported out just 2 weeks ago. Cases, hospitalizations & deaths have all been increasing and Alaska is seeing an all-time high for the number of people hospitalized due to COVID. For State information, visit the Alaska COVID-19 Information Hub. For local information, including the daily case count & press releases, you can visit wrangellcovid19.org.
LOCAL ORDINANCES: Wrangell’s City Facility Face Covering Requirement has been extended through October 8th. All staff and patrons must wear face coverings in all City facilities.
It is a Federal requirement that all travelers must wear a face covering at all transportation hubs and on all public transportation, including taxis and water taxis.
VACCINE: Anyone 12 years and older who is interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can register at covid19.searhc.org or call the Wrangell Medical Center at 874-7000.
65% of the eligible population in Wrangell has been vaccinated.
Public Health Nurse Erin Michael will be in town on Friday October 1st and 2nd. She will be at the Wrangell Public Health Center at 215 Front Street on Oct 1st to provide immunizations, birth control and STD screening for person up to age 29, well child exams for children up to age 6 and TB screening and medications for all ages. Call 772-4611 to make an appointment. She will also have a table at the Saturday Market on October 2 from 10am to 1pm where she will be providing COVID vaccines and Narcan kits. If you would like to receive a vaccine, you can show up at the market – no appointment necessary.
In addition to getting vaccinated, the other measures that can help prevent or slow the spread are: staying home when you have ANY symptoms, wearing a mask when indoors around people other than your immediate household members, minimizing the number of gatherings you attend, getting tested as soon as you get symptoms, and following the guidance of the CDC and Public Health if you get COVID or are a close contact to someone who is infected with COVID.
TESTING: If you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and contact Wrangell Medical Center for testing.
Both asymptomatic and symptomatic testing can be arranged by calling the Wrangell Medical Center M-F at 874-7000. Free asymptomatic testing is no longer available at the airport effective immediately. Instead, free walk-up testing is available at the Wrangell Medical Center trailer Mon-Sat from noon to 4pm – no appointment necessary. Individuals who have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID should contact Wrangell Medical Center to schedule a test; please do not use the walk-up testing option. If you have been vaccinated, but are experiencing symptoms, it’s still important to get tested as the vaccines are not 100% effective.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES: If you need masks, or other resources, or have questions relating to COVID (including travel questions), contact the EOC at travel@wrangell.com or by calling 874-COVI (874-2684).
If you are in isolation or quarantine and would like assistance with groceries, would like someone to bring you games or movies or help with errands, reach out to the local Wrangell COVID Support group. This is a group of volunteers willing to help make your isolation or quarantine period a little easier. They can be contacted via the Facebook Group called Wrangell COVID Support or contact Julie Ostrander at 907-660-7506. Thank you to the volunteers for providing this service to the community and making it easier on those in quarantine & isolation.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE: If your business experienced hardships during the pandemic, you may be eligible to receive assistance from the Alaska ARPA Business Relief Program. The deadline to apply is 8am on October 19, 2021. For more information, including eligibility requirements go to: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/AK-ARPABusinessReliefProgram.
